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Tuesday, July 26, 2016 FOOTBALL Shawwal 21, 1437 AH Allardyce GULF TIMES targets England fear factor SPORT Page 4

CRICKET UPSET England ease Muralitharan lashes out at past Pakistan to Sri Lanka over ‘traitor’ slur

draw level AFP after taking 800 Test wickets before Colombo retiring six years ago. But his decision to impart his local Cook made 76 not out and vice-captain Root 71 not out, with the duo putting on knowledge to the tourists has raised ri Lanka’s record-breaking eyebrows, not least because he was 105 for the second wicket before the skipper declared the innings spinner Muttiah Muralitharan once labelled a “chucker” by Aus- launched a blistering attack tralia’s then-prime minister John on his former bosses after they Howard. complainedS about his behaviour in his Sumathipala pointed out the irony AFP Manchester England players celebrate new role as a mentor to Australia. of Muralitharan coaching Australia. taking the wicket of Pakistan’s After his former employers said Mu- “Professionally it is okay for Mu- Mohamed Amir in Manchester ralitharan was damaging his legacy, rali to coach any foreign team, but the ames Anderson marked his yesterday. the 44-year-old accused Sri Lanka’s irony is that he is supporting Australia return to international duty board of setting him up as a fall guy if which tried to get him out of cricket,” with three wickets as England the hosts lose a series to the visiting Sumathipala said. beat Pakistan by a massive Australians. “He is creating long-term damage 330J runs to win the second Test at And Muralitharan, the highest for himself among his fans. I feel sad.” his Old Trafford home ground yes- wicket-taker in Test history, then ac- Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews terday. cused the board president of knowing was more conciliatory, acknowledging Pakistan, set a mammoth 565 for nothing about cricket and angrily de- his former teammate’s expertise. victory, were bowled out for 234 in nounced any suggestion of being “a “The Australians obviously saw val- their second innings after tea on the traitor”. ue in his knowledge of Sri Lankan con- fourth day. “If Sri Lanka loses, they (the board) ditions,” Mathews told reporters. This was England’s fifth-biggest will say it is because of Murali,” he said During an 18-year Test career, Mu- Test win in terms of runs. in a recorded statement which was ralitharan — who was born with a par- But England’s joy in levelling the sent to AFP. tially deformed elbow — was twice cit- four-match series at 1-1 was tem- “They have no right to accuse me ed by Australian umpires for a suspect pered by the sight of all-rounder of being a traitor. Have they done one action but was cleared both times by Ben Stokes going off injured in yes- hundredth of what I have contributed the game’s governing body. terday’s second session. to cricket in Sri Lanka? He once refused to tour Australia England’s Joe Root, who made a “This is a political game to cover but has been a regular visitor in recent Test-best 254 in a mammoth first their shortcomings,” he added. “I am years as a star of the Big Bash Twen- innings 589 for eight declared, was being used as a pawn to cover their ty20 league. named man-of-the-match. failings.” In his video statement, Muralitha- The first innings also saw England His outburst was sparked by a com- ran said he had not received any ap- captain Alastair Cook make 105 — plaint by the board that he had bullied proach from the Sri Lankan board to his 29th Test hundred. groundsmen into letting the Austral- help the island’s next generation of England’s two senior batsmen ians practise on the pitch which hosts spinners and accused it of favouring combined again in a second-innings win in the first Test at Lord’s with a the opening match in a three-Test se- foreign coaches over locals. total of 173 for one declared. shoulder injury, then struck twice to OLD TRAFFORD SCORECARD ries from today. “They don’t give an opportunity to Left-handed opener Cook made remove both Shan Masood (one) and Cricket Australia confi rmed they re- talented Sri Lankan coaches and prefer 76 not out and vice-captain Root Azhar Ali (eight). England 1st Innings: 589-8 dec (J Root Azhar Ali lbw b Anderson ...... 8 ceived a complaint about the incident to bring white people from abroad,” he 71 not out, with the duo putting on But with Pakistan on the ropes, 254, A Cook 105, C Woakes 58, J Bairstow Younis Khan c Hales b Ali ...... 28 at Pallekele Stadium, on the outskirts said. 105 for the second wicket before England saw Stokes injure himself 58; Wahab Riaz 3-106) Misbah-ul-Haq b Woakes ...... 35 of Kandy, but said the issue had been “That aff ects our economy too be- the skipper called a halt yesterday while bowling. Pakistan 1st Innings: 198 (Misbah-ul-Haq Asad Shafiq lbw b Anderson ...... 39 resolved “after discussions between cause we have to pay them dollars that morning. Two ball into the 22nd over of the 52; C Woakes 4-67) Sarfraz Ahmed c Bairstow b Woakes ...... 7 the two management teams”. leave the country. That is treachery.” “Joe’s was an extraordinary in- innings, his sixth, the Durham pace England 2nd Innings: (overnight: 98-1) Yasir Shah lbw b Ali ...... 10 In lodging the complaint, board Sri Lanka has a history of employ- nings,” said Cook at the presentation bowler pulled up with a right calf A. Cook not out ...... 76 Wahab Riaz c Cook b Root ...... 19 president Thilanga Sumathipala ac- ing foreign coaches and re-hired South ceremony. This series has seen Root strain and left the field. A. Hales c Sarfraz Ahmed b M. Amir ...... 24 Mohamed Amir c Broad b Woakes ...... 29 cused Muralitharan of insulting Sri Africa’s Graham Ford earlier this year move up the order to number three An England spokesman said the J. Root not out ...... 71 Rahat Ali not out ...... 8 Lanka team manager Charith Senan- for a second stint. and Cook added: “It was the logical 25-year-old Stokes, playing his first Extras: (lb2) ...... 2 Extras: (b2, lb4, w1, nb1) ...... 8 ayake. Although Sri Lanka won the World step to get our best batter to bat at international match after suffering a Total: (1 wkt dec, 30 overs, 126 mins) 173 Total (all out, 70.3 overs, 293 mins) ....234 “Muralitharan’s behaviour is unac- Twenty20 trophy two years ago, the three. Disappointed Pakistan cap- knee injury in the first Test against Did not bat: J Vince, G Ballance, C Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Masood), 2-25 ceptable and we have brought this to team has been on the slide in recent tain Misbah-ul-Haq said his side Sri Lanka in May, would undergo a Woakes, B Stokes, J Bairstow, M Ali, S (Azhar), 3-83 (Hafeez), 4-102 (Younis), the notice of the Australian team man- years as it struggles to replace key had been outplayed. scan today to determine the full ex- Broad, J Anderson 5-145 (Misbah), 6-163 (Sarfraz), 7-167 agement,” Sumathipala told reporters. players such as Muralitharan and star “Full credit to England — they tent of the injury. Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Hales) (Shafiq), 8-190 (Yasir), 9-208 (Wahab), “It should not have happened. We batsman Kumar Sangakkara. won a good toss and Cook and Root Off-spinner Moeen Ali, complet- Bowling: Amir 11-2-43-1; Rahat 8-0-54-0; 10-234 (Amir) are very disappointed.” Australia are hot favourites to win took the game away from us. ing the over, was then hit for six by Shah 9-0-53-0; Azhar 2-0-21-0 Bowling: Anderson 16-2-41-3; Broad 14-3- Muralitharan is a hero in Sri Lanka the series. “We have to improve in every de- Mohamed Hafeez. Ali, however, re- Pakistan 2nd Innings: (target: 565) 37-0; Stokes 5.2-0-21-0 (1w); Ali 18.4-1-88-3 partment.” gained his composure to dismiss Mohamed Hafeez c Ballance b Ali ...... 42 (1nb); Woakes 15.3-2-41-3; Root 1-1-0-1 Anderson, returning to Test crick- both Hafeez (42) and Younis Khan Shan Masood c Cook b Anderson ...... 1 Result: England won by 330 runs et after missing Pakistan’s 75-run (28).

BOTTOMLINE FIFA panel bans ex-head of German FA for one year

Reuters FIFA’s Ethics Committee barred to report them to the Ethics Com- committee — an independent body Zurich Niersbach from all football-related mittee in a timely manner,” the panel — found Niersbach had violated its activity, it said yesterday. FIFA in- said in a statement. ethics code and recommended he be vestigators had sought a two-year Niersbach, who still sits on the banned for two years from all foot- IFA’s Ethics Committee has ban. world soccer body’s Council as well ball-related activity and fined. banned Wolfgang Niersbach, “The present case did not look as Europe’s UEFA Executive Com- Niersbach, who has repeatedly the former president of the into possible breaches of the FIFA mittee, resigned from the DFB denied all wrongdoing, said at the German Football Associa- code of ethics in relation to possi- presidency in November after he time he disagreed with the severity Ftion, for one year for failing to report ble acts of bribery and/or corrup- was unable to explain a 6.7mn euro of the recommendations. He said he potential misconduct surrounding tion with regards to the award of ($7.4mn) payment from the German was being investigated now for fail- the award of the 2006 soccer World the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but only World Cup organisers to FIFA. ing to inform FIFA’s ethics commis- Australia’s bowling consultant, Sri Lankan former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan Cup in Germany. evaluated Mr Niersbach’s awareness A report in May from the inves- sion last year of the developments (R) speaks with Australian spinner Stephen O’Keefe during a practice session at The adjudicatory chamber of of the said incidents and his failure tigatory chamber of FIFA’s ethics regarding the 2006 affair. the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, July 26, 2016 SPORT

REPORT ROAD TO RIO India captain Village repairs Kohli targets could take Test domination all week: The 27-year-old Kohli replaced Dhoni as India’s Test captain after the Brazil wicketkeeper-batsman retired from that form of cricket in late 2014 AFP dirty fl oors in need of a massive Rio de Janeiro clean,” the head of the Austral- ian team, Kitty Chiller, said in a Reuters statement. During a test involving Mumbai locked toilets, dangerous taps and toilets being turned on in wiring and other prob- apartments on several fl oors, “wa- lems in Rio’s Olympic ter came down walls, there was a ndia need to dominate Test matches BVillage will be resolved strong smell of gas in some apart- and players cannot be content with by the end of the week, Brazilian ments and there was ‘shorting’ in just looking to improve, captain Virat organisers said yesterday as new the electrical wiring.” Kohli said after the tourists thrashed reports emerged of embarrassing Chiller later told reporters: WestI Indies by an innings and 92 runs in glitches. “This is my fi fth Olympics Games. the fi rst Test in Antigua on Saturday. A day after the Australian Ol- I have never experienced a Village The margin of the victory, secured ympic delegation refused to move in this lack of state of readiness at within four days, was India’s largest out- into the apartment complex in this point in time.” side Asia and gave the side a 1-0 lead in western Rio, Brazilian organising She added that, “in our mind, the four-match series. committee spokesman Mario An- our building is not habitable” and “We are not at a stage now where we drada promised a solution. the Australian team would stay need to come and improve,” Kohli, who “We have 630 men working to in nearby hotels. Although sev- scored his fi rst double hundred during fi x the problems at the Olympic eral delegations have expressed the Test, told reporters. Village,” Andrada said in com- satisfaction with their residence, “We should be ready enough in inter- ments tweeted by the govern- reports emerged yesterday of new national cricket to start dominating Test ment’s Olympic account. troubles. matches and win those crucial situations “They should complete the im- The head of Argentina’s Olym- and sessions. That’s how we become a peccable handover of the Village pic committee, Gerardo Werthein, better team. by the end of the week, probably was quoted by Clarin daily saying “If you think we are going to keep by Thursday,” he said. that out of fi ve fl oors reserved for learning every series, learning every This indicated a much longer the country “two are not habit- game, we will never get that hunger and timetable than suggested by the able” and that his team had sought that mindset to win games from diffi cult honorary mayor of the Village, alternative lodging. situations. former Brazilian Olympian Janeth “The apartments are completed “We need to challenge ourselves a lit- Arcain, who said Sunday that the on the outside, but when we tested tle bit, which this team has been willing work would take only 48 hours. them we found problems with to do and which is a wonderful sign. The Australia said Sunday it was plumbing and electricity,” he said. way we fi nished the Test, it all panned out refusing to move into the Village, “Rio said it will fi nish this, but we pretty nicely.” a development of 31 brand-new can’t take any risk.” While Kohli has led India to a Test se- buildings next to the Olympic Park Italy has contracted its own ries win in Sri Lanka and beat South Af- which will house some 18,000 team of workers to fi nish off the rica 3-0 at home, their record outside athletes and other team members building work, Brazil has com- South Asia in the longest format has been during the Games starting August plained of leaks on the ground poor. 5. “Problems include blocked toi- fl oor, while Mexico’s team has They have lost series in South Africa, lets, leaking pipes, exposed wir- encountered ceiling leaks and New Zealand, England and Australia on ing, darkened stairwells where blocked drains, Globo news site tours since late 2013, something new no lighting has been installed and reported. coach Anil Kumble has said he wants to rectify. The 27-year-old Kohli replaced Ma- hendra Singh Dhoni as India’s Test cap- Zimbabwe lose strike bowler Chatara for Tests tain after the wicketkeeper-batsman re- tired from that form of cricket during the Harare: Zimbabwe strike Chatara, who fractured his leg tour of Australia in late 2014. bowler Tendai Chatara has playing a casual game of soc- Kohli wants his side, who are currently been ruled out of the Test se- cer last year, will be replaced second behind Australia on the Interna- ries against New Zealand after in the Zimbabwe squad by tional Cricket Council test rankings, to hurting his ankle, Zimbabwe Michael Chinouya, 30, who has target consistency as well as wins. Cricket announced yesterday. only two one-day internation- “If we have a chance to win 4-0, then The 25-year-old was expected als to his name. why not,” Kohli said. “We don’t need to to spearhead the home side’s Chatara is the second Zimba- get complacent. If we end up getting a attack in two Tests in Bula- bwe seamer to be ruled out 2-0 lead, it’s not that we would be play- wayo, starting on Thursday. after Tinashe Panyangara also ing for a draw in the next two tests. He injured his ankle bowling failed to recover from a back “As we know, if we learn to win Test for Zimbabwe A on the first problem in time for the series. matches, then we’ll learn how to win day of their three-day match Zimbabwe will be playing their tests everywhere. against the tourists in Harare first test series in almost 20 “We will learn how to play in diff erent which finished in an easy 259- months. Both Tests are at the situations and we will know exactly what run win for New Zealand on Queens Sports Club. The sec- to do when a certain situation is going a Sunday. ond is from August 6-10. Virat Kohli shakes hands with teammates after their win over the West Indies in St John’s, Antigua, on Sunday. certain way.”

BOTTOMLINE Australia pick spin twins for Sri Lanka opener

AFP number one and we need to work hard and stay Pallekele, Sri Lanka on top.” Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews ac- knowledged that his new-look side would ustralian captain Steve Smith named have to be at the top of their game if they were spin twins Nathan Lyon and Steve to cause an upset. O’Keefe in his line-up for the se- “It’s our home conditions but, as I always ries opener against Sri Lanka as the say, we have to play our best cricket to win Anewly-crowned kings of Test cricket look to against the number one team in the world,” cement their supremacy. said Mathews. On the day that Australia were presented “They’ve performed in and out of Australia. with the mace as the world number one side, They are a very consistent team and a strong Smith took the unusual move of naming his unit.” starting XI a day before the start of the first Although Australia have a clear lead over Test in Pallekele, near Kandy. their main challengers, India, England and Australia’s rise up the rankings has been Pakistan could all theoretically topple them based in large part on the performance of their from the top spot if Smith’s lose against Sri fast bowlers such as Mitchell Starc and Josh Lanka and other results go against them. Hazlewood and they rarely field more than one Mathews held back from naming his start- spinner. ing XI and was instead cursing a new round of But after taking 10 wickets in a warm-up injury woes to an already depleted squad. last week, O’Keefe has been picked to play Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal complained only his third Test alongside the more expe- of a stiff hamstring after training on Sunday rienced Nathan Lyon — his close friend and before the uncapped Dhananjaya de Silva hurt Sheffield Shield teammate. his finger during fielding drills, Mathews re- “Both our spinners bowled well in the prac- vealed. tice game. They have played lot of games for Australia XI: Steve Smith (Captain), David New South Wales and they are close friends. Warner, Joe Burns, Josh Hazlewood, Usman It’s going to be exciting,” Smith told reporters Australian cricket captain Steven Smith (L) receives an ICC Test Championship mace from ICC Chief Executive David Richardson (R) in Kandy yesterday. Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Peter in Pallekele, on the outskirts of Kandy. Smith received the mace for leading his side to the number-one ranking on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings on the annual 1 April cut-off date. Nevill, Steve O’Keeffe, Mitchell Starc, Adam Australia have hired local spin legend Mut- Voges tiah Muralitharan as a consultant for the se- “The wicket will take spin for sure here. Not batters need to have some good plans against pionship mace and $1mn in prize money after Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), ries, well aware of Sri Lanka’s reputation for sure about the first innings, but it looks very him at what he is going to bring at us.” his team finished at the top of the ICC rank- Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, producing turning pitches. dry and lots of cracks on it. It certainly will Smith confirmed that vice-captain David ings by the April cut-off. Kaushal Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Smith said that cracks had already appeared help spin bowlers,” Smith added. Warner will play after being sidelined for six “It was great honour to accept the Test Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, on the Pallekele strip which should also ben- “They (Sri Lanka) have some quality spin- weeks with a broken left index finger. mace as we are the number one team at this Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha efit Sri Lanka’s premier spinner Rangana Her- ners in their rank led by Rangana Herath. He Before training, Smith was presented with stage. Lot of hard work ahead of us,” he said. Fernando, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, ath. has done really well in these conditions. The the International Cricket Council Test Cham- “We are going to be hunted down as we are Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal Gulf Times Tuesday, July 26, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS In China’s quest to conquer, fans feel left behind Reuters not respond to a request for comment. China’s clubs would have no chance Shanghai China is currently hosting some of of importing international stars such Europe’s biggest clubs, who fl ock to as former Arsenal and Roma striker China to tap a millions-strong pool of Gervinho or Senegal’s Demba Ba. ig money signings and invest- fans and some deep-pocketed investors. Such banner signings have fuelled lu- ments in storied European Manchester United had been due crative TV deals — but not yet homeg- clubs, and the backing of a to take on Manchester City, now part- rown success. Bpresident who is an avid soc- Chinese owned, in a pre-season match “There are diff erences in culture, cer fan: things should be looking up yesterday at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Sta- in the national personality and tradi- for millions of Chinese supporting the dium — their fi rst derby outside Eng- tion,” said Waley Ho, founder of Reds ‘beautiful game’. land — though the game was cancelled in Shanghai, a Manchester United sup- Not so, say some long-time football due to weather concerns and the state of porters group. “It will still need time.” enthusiasts like Bian Minming, who fear the pitch. The build-up to that match, Fans say the removal of sponsors’ the game is being taken away from them. in the middle of a busy Chinese league names from club crests would go a long Chinese soccer’s new-found cash season, had overshadowed even last way. Shanghai SIPG, formed in 2005 also means a deluge of heavy-handed week’s clash between Shanghai Shen- and explicitly modelled on Manches- corporate sponsorships, and Bian and hua and city rivals Shanghai SIPG. ter United — founded in 1878 — has others say that hampers Beijing’s aim Buying foreign talent may increase already undergone two relocations and of nurturing a grass-roots base for the interest — China spent more in the two name changes. sport and homegrown talent. winter transfer window than the entire It is now named after the Shang- All footballing nations have strug- English Premier League — but as with hai International Port Group, a state gled to balance the interests of com- the Gulf States, sports industry veter- backer with the resources to pay a Chi- mercial sponsors with those of hard- ans warn it will do little to boost the nese record of more than 50mn euros core fans, but in China, encouraged by home-grown talent that China needs if ($55.15mn) to sign Brazilian interna- President Xi Jinping to become a soccer it is to achieve Xi’s ambition of one day tional Hulk from Zenit St Petersburg. superpower, investors hold all the cards. winning the World Cup. Bian and other Shanghai Shenhua All 16 clubs in China’s top league have China currently ranks 81st in the fans protested in 2014 after their new been forced to incorporate the names of world, behind St Kitts and Nevis, owners, the Greenland Group, an- new owners or sponsors in their team whose population of 55,000 would fi t nounced plans to change the club’s names — constant changes that irritate into Shanghai SIPG’s stadium. name and put the group’s logo on the fans. Others clubs been forced to move “China’s top-down approach to club crest. The club did not respond to home, sometimes more than once. everything does not fi t football at all,” requests for comment. “The football association needs to said Cameron Wilson, who runs Wild Manchester United fans wait at the team hotel after the match against Manchester City was called off yesterday. (Reuters) Despite a compromise, which saw learn,” said Bian, who protested moves East Football, a news website devoted the club rebranded as Shanghai Green- to rebrand Shanghai Shenhua, the club to Chinese soccer. “You need a solid ing reform plan aimed at reinvigorat- ing culture. To achieve this, it said it establishment of ‘competitive brands’ land Shenhua, fans speaking after last he follows. “The league shouldn’t al- and long-standing football culture to ing the domestic game, which it said would curtail the power of rich investors and set a target of swelling the sports Sunday’s derby against Shanghai SIPG low clubs to keep changing names, generate a supply of people who have was “lagging in all respects”. High on to relocate or rebrand teams on a whim. industry to 3tn yuan ($450bn)— six said they still hope the owners’ name because only then will they be able to grown up watching, playing and most its agenda was creating “hundred-year But for now, money speaks loudest. times the estimated value of the exist- can be removed — even if they can see attract more fans.” importantly, loving football.” clubs” rooted in local communities and Even as it called for a bottom-up sport- ing global sports market — by 2020. an upside. “Without them, we wouldn’t The Chinese football association did Last year, China drew up a far-reach- nurturing a genuine grass-roots sport- ing culture, China also demanded the Of course, without sponsorship, have Demba Ba,” shrugged Bian.

SPOTLIGHT Aft er Guardiola, Ancelotti delights Ribery at Bayern

AFP he now feels “free, completely Berlin motivated.” Ancelotti has only been coaching Bayern for the last ‘Dangerous’ pitch ayern Munich winger two weeks, but took Ribery BFranck Ribery claimed aside to explain how he is part yesterday that he has finally of his plans, describing him in felt trusted again since Carlo public as “a fantastic player. I Ancelotti took over as head like his style and how focussed coach from Pep Guardiola. he is. He can still be very im- With Guardiola now coach- portant for us with this quality ing Manchester City after and experience.” scuppers China three years in Munich, Italian Ancelotti, 57, will travel to the Ancelotti has taken charge States shorn of his current Ger- of Bayern, who have won the many internationals, who are Bundesliga title in each of the recovering from the European last four seasons. Championship. Bayern flew to the US yester- But the Bayern squad will day to play a friendly against still boast the likes of Philipp AC Milan on Thursday, before Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Arturo Manchester derby further games against Inter Vidal, Thiago Alcantara and Milan and Real Madrid. Ribery Ribery. had a professional, but cool Bayern open the new Bun- ‘We had our groundsman working for 10 days on the pitch, but the conditions were just relationship with Guardiola, desliga season at home against which was not helped by the Werder Bremen on August too dangerous for the players. The rain has made it totally unsafe to play on this pitch’ Frenchman’s injury-ravaged fi- 26, after facing rivals Borus- nal season under the Spaniard. sia Dortmund for the German The 33-year-old said he Super Cup on August 14. AFP needs to feel the confidence of Beijing his coach “to play to my best”. Manchester City players during a training session ahead of their International Champions Cup match against “Under Ancelotti, I finally feel Manchester United in Beijing. The pre-season derby was cancelled just hours before kick-off yesterday. (AFP) like I’m trusted again,” Ribery anchester United’s showpiece told German magazine Kicker. pre-season derby against “He’s an awesome coach, Manchester City was can- I need people like him or celled just hours before kick- (former Bayern coaches) Jupp Moff yesterday because the Beijing pitch was Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld.” “too dangerous” for players. Alongside fellow veteran Manchester City captain Vincent Kom- Arjen Robben, Ribery faces pany said club staff had been working to stiff competition for a place on get the game on after days of heavy rain in Bayern’s wing from the likes of the Chinese capital, but had been defeated. fleet-footed pair Douglas Costa “We had our groundsman working for and Kingsley Coman. 10 days on the pitch, but the conditions Ancelotti tried to bring the were just too dangerous for the players,” former France international to said Kompany on the club’s website. “The Chelsea when he was the head rain has made it totally unsafe to play on coach at Stamford Bridge in this pitch,” added Manchester City CEO 2009, and Ribery added that Ferran Soriano in a statement. Organisers of the International Chal- lenge Cup tournament, which also fea- NOT FOR SALE tures Borussia Dortmund, confi rmed the match had been called off on grounds of player safety. “The conditions experienced in Beijing on July 19 and July 20 were re- Hands off Manolas, ported as being some of the most extreme weather conditions the capital of China has experienced in recent history,” said a Roma warn Euro elite statement from the organisers. “The com- mittee and both teams make the decision AFP together in the interest of player safety.” Milan Both managers, Jose Mourinho of United and Pep Guardiola of City, had told report- ers they were worried after training was oma coach Luciano Spal- moved on Sunday because of the state of letti has warned a trio of the turf. “The pitch and the conditions of Aurier bags brace as PSG down Inter 3-1 in friendly Premier League giants my players are more important than results AFP Stevan Jovetic converted a egon’s gridiron Ducks team. PSG regained the lead in the off the scent of Greek de- in pre-season,” Mourinho said. “It is almost Rfender Kostas Manolas. Los Angeles penalty for the Italian outfit in PSG, under new manager 61st minute through Kurzawa, the end and we can go home and train in first-half injury time. Unai Emery, displayed a lively and Aurier sealed the win when Manolas, 25, is a target for conditions where the players are safe.” The International Champions attack and went ahead in the he rose to head home a cross some of the “best clubs in Eu- Guardiola was blunt when asked what erge Aurier’s two goals Cup is an exhibition tournament 15th minute when Hatem Ben from Alec Georgen in the 87th. rope” but specifi cally Manches- he wanted from the ill-fated match. “No Slifted Paris Saint-Germain involving 17 clubs playing on Arfa’s free-kick was lost by Paris Saint-Germain next face ter City, Manchester United injuries,” he replied. to a 3-1 victory over Iter Milan four diff erent continents, all tun- Inter keeper Samir Handanovic Real Madrid in Columbus, Ohio, and Chelsea, according to the The cancellation means fans will now on Sunday in an International ing up for their league seasons. and Aurier tapped it in. Inter tomorrow, and Leicester next player’s agent. But Spalletti, have to wait until the English Premier Champions Cup friendly in Sunday’s match was played pulled level by halftime thanks Saturday in the Los Angeles speaking ahead of Roma’s fi rst League derby on September 10 for the bit- Eugene, Oregon. on a grass pitch laid over the to Jovetic’s blast from the spot suburb of Carson. Inter play full training session in Boston ter rivalry between Mourinho and Guar- Layvin Kurzawa also scored artificial turf at Autzen Stadium, after a penalty awarded for a Bayern Munich in North Caro- on Sunday, said the 25-year-old diola to be renewed. for the French champions, while home of the University of Or- handball in the area. lina next Saturday. was happy in the Italian capital Around 50,000 tickets had been sold and would not be moving. at up to $200 for the clash and organisers “Manolas is a good footballer, said they would all be refunded, the match RMB1,000 for a ticket ($150) and believed and now only, China tour match. media. Mourinho refused to attend a news like there are many good foot- about issues that are not there? would not be rescheduled and no winner the weather was not entirely to blame. Half of United’s squad were on a plane conference in an overcrowded and stifl ingly ballers, so it’s only normal his Manolas will stay with us.” of the tournament could be declared. “I don’t think it was the weather. It’s which had to make a forced landing be- hot press room, instead holding a bizarre name has come up in the trans- Roma were pipped to the Pockets of fans who arrived at the Bird’s just the fi eld is not good,” he fumed. “It’s tween Shanghai and Beijing on Saturday press chat amid a scrum on the running fer market — indeed it is inevita- runner-up place in last sea- Nest were disappointed to be turned away. embarrassing. Maybe somebody will be in because of a violent storm in the capital. track where he struggled to be heard. ble,” Spalletti said in comments son’s Serie A league cham- “I feel so sad,” said Ma Tao, wearing a trouble for this.” Striker Memphis Depay tweeted a video United left Beijing yesterday as origi- reported on the club’s offi cial pionship by Napoli, meaning United shirt. “I don’t think Man United The sorry scene followed a chaotic of himself outside the plane in Tianjin, nally planned, while City will fl y to website asroma.it. “But his in- Spalletti’s men will have to will come back to China any time soon.” weekend in China for Mourinho’s new saying they were “lost in China”. the southern city of Shenzhen today tentions are clear, so there are successfully negotiate a play- Another United fan, who said his name club after losing 4-1 to Borussia Dortmund Sunday’s makeshift training venue for Thursday’s game against Borussia no issues. Why not talk instead off round if they are to secure was Bruce, was angry because he had paid Friday night in Shanghai in their opening, struggled to cope with the hundreds of Dortmund. about the problem of writing Champions League football. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, July 26, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Egyptian teenager Sobhi signs for Stoke

ighly-regarded Egyptian who is excited about the pros- Hteenage winger Ramadan pect of making an impact in the Sobhi became Stoke City man- Premier League and we’re look- ager Mark Hughes’ first signing ing forward to giving him that of the summer yesterday, platform.” Sobhi, who made his joining for a £5mn fee (6mn professional debut as a 16-year- Allardyce targets euros, $6.5mn) which could old and was capped for the rise to £6mn. The 19-year-old — first time a year later, helped Al already capped six times at sen- Ahly win a series of domestic ior level — joins from Egyptian honours, including the 2015/16 giants Al Ahly and is expected Egyptian league title under the to fly out to join his new team- guidance of former Tottenham mates on their pre-season tour Hotspur and Fulham manager of the United States. “We are Martin Jol. Sobhi is the latest England fear factor absolutely delighted to have Egyptian star to try his luck signed a player of Ramadan’s in the Premier League, after undoubted quality and poten- former striker Mido played for ‘It’s not about potential now. It’s about standing up and being counted even though tial,” Stoke chief executive Tony Spurs, while Hull City winger Scholes told the club website. Ahmed Elmohamady is a cur- some of those experiences have been bitter. Potential is a word I don’t like to use “He’s a special young talent rent example. too much. You want the actual quality of the player producing his best immediately’ Wilkins admits to drinking problem British court handed Ray Wilkins a four-year driving ban A yesterday, as the former England international midfielder and ex-Chelsea assistant revealed his battle with alcoholism. The 59-year-old pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court after being found to have been three times over the drink-drive limit. A member of the public spotted him driving his Mercedes in the middle of the road and straddling a bus lane in London on July 1. He was seen striking a kerb and swigging alcohol from the bottle behind the wheel. The member of the public then took his keys away when the car stopped, in order to prevent a possible accident. Wilkins enjoyed a hugely successful playing career that took in Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan, before return- ing to Stamford Bridge as an assistant. His last post was in the Premier League last season as an assistant at Aston Villa. Cagliari target out-of-contract Adebayor

erie A new boys Cagliari But the towering striker fell out Sare hoping to lure out-of- of favour at Roberto Mancini’s contract veteran striker Em- City following the arrival of Edin manuel Adebayor to the club. Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Mario Adebayor is without a club after Balotelli during the 2010-11 scoring just one goal for Crystal season. He moved on loan to Palace in a six-month spell in Real Madrid for six months the Premier League last season. in January 2011 and although Cagliari have been targeting he returned to City, the Togo Atalanta striker Marco Borriello, international was subsequently but according to Tuttosport, sent on loan to Tottenham the are also keen on Adebayor if following season. Adebayor se- the move for the former Roma cured a permanent deal in 2012 marksman fails to work out. and was Spurs’ top-scorer with Adebayor, 32, played arguably 14 goals from 25 appearances the best football of his career but was released by the club in in the Premier League with September 2015, preceding his Arsenal and Manchester City. move to Crystal Palace. Icardi is not for sale, say Inter Milan nter Milan yesterday insisted captain Mauro Icardi is not for Isale amid reports Napoli have tabled a generous off er—includ- ing a future role in a film—for the Argentine striker. Icardi, who scored 16 goals in 33 league games last season, is a reported target for Arsenal as well as Serie A runners-up Napoli, who are expected to sell star striker Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus this week. Icardi’s wife Wanda Nara, who is also his agent, has been listening to off ers for the 23-year-old club captain amid Inter’s refusal to renegotiate his contract. Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio said the club is looking to keep all its “top players”. “For sure there have been meetings with Napoli, but we’re not selling him (Icardi) to Napoli, and it’s not a question of money,” Ausilio said. “There is no agreement. Inter will be keeping Icardi, as well as other players. Our ambition is to reinforce the squad." Msakni extends Lekhwiya stay by 5 years

AFP for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. ey’s captaincy until the players join up for “I can turn things around pretty quickly. I London “The pressure on players at internation- the World Cup qualifi er with Slovakia on can create a successful journey and that starts al level we will be looking at in depth,” said September 4. with us all pulling together,” added Allardyce. the 61-year-old Englishman, nicknamed “That’s far too early to make predictions “What is my style? Pragmatic. Choosing ew England manager Sam Al- ‘Big Sam’, who lost out to Steve McClaren in that area,” Allardyce said, when asked if styles and systems depends on who we are lardyce has vowed to break the for the England job 10 years ago. Rooney would continue as skipper. “I will playing. My coaching technique is to win a psychological barrier hindering “I will exploit all areas for the benefi t leave that (the captaincy) until we get to- football match — home or away, whether we the performance of the country’s of the players. The key element is to get gether and plan for the qualifi ers.” are at Wembley or not — and adapt to the Nbig-name players at international level. among the staff in place and talk about the Allardyce, who guided Sunderland to style we play to the opposition. I think the Allardyce also revealed he has not yet programme going forward, particularly Premier League safety last season having bonding of the team is exceptionally impor- made a decision on who will captain Eng- psychologically. taken over with them in a desperate posi- tant. A game of football is to be enjoyed.” land, which leaves the Manchester United “It’s not about potential now. It’s about tion, has never won a major trophy and ac- Allardyce confi rmed Sammy Lee, his QSL side Lekhwiya have been handed a major boost ahead of skipper Wayne Rooney — heavily criticised standing up and being counted even though knowledged the England job is the “biggest former assistant when he was in charge of the new season, announcing that star midfielder Yusef Msakni for his performances at Euro 2016 — sweat- some of those experiences have been bitter. challenge” of his managerial career. Bolton Wanderers, will become part of his has signed a bumper five-year deal with the side. The club made ing on whether he will retain the armband. “Potential is a word I don’t like to use Allardyce believes, however, he has the backroom staff . He also called for the in- the announcement on Sunday afternoon. In an interview with England’s campaign at last month’s Eu- too much. You want the actual quality of right credentials for the position and re- troduction of a winter break in the Premier the player via the Lekhwiya website, the Tunisian international ropean Championships under predecessor the player producing his best immediately. mains confi dent the ‘Three Lions’ will League to help boost the national team’s revealed his joy at signing on with the ‘Red Knights’. “I received Roy Hodgson culminated in a humiliating “I think this group is very experienced progress under his stewardship. fl agging fortunes. off ers from several clubs to move on, but I preferred to stay exit to Iceland in the last 16, despite boast- and going forward can be producing more “This will be the greatest challenge for “I have been an advocate of that for 10 with Lekhwiya especially when the management showed faith ing a squad packed with Premier League performances and better results. It’s not just me in my long career and hopefully I will years or more. The demand on players is in me with such a contract,” he said. Msakni was Lekhwiya’s talent. Hodgson quickly quit. about qualifying, but going as far as we can.” be as successful as I have in the rest of my enormous,” he explained. “The Premier top-scorer last term with 14 goals, his best return in his fourth Allardyce, speaking at his fi rst press con- It is anticipated that Allardyce, a former career,” said the man who has faced criti- League is the best league in the world so season with the Red Knights. With the former ES Tunis star tied ference at St George’s Park yesterday fol- manager of many clubs including Bolton, cism down the years for long-ball football. demand has to be on the players. It would to a long-term contract, Lekhwiya will up their training ahead of lowing his appointment, will seek to address Newcastle, West Ham and most recently Jose Mourinho famously once described help the Premier League and us at interna- their second pre-season friendly against Saudi giants Al Hilal. that faulty mindset as England bid to qualify Sunderland, will not make a call on Roon- Allardyce’s football as “19th century”. tional level if we could try and achieve it.”

BOTTOMLINE Olympic hoodoo still haunts Brazil

Reuters just before returning for a third stint up medal, was just 18 years old. been linked with Europe’s big clubs, Sao Paulo as manager of Internacional where Since professionals under the age will play alongside Neymar up front. he started his playing career. of 23 were admitted, Brazil have still Brazil open their campaign “The Olympics is grander than struggled. They have been in the against South Africa in Brasilia, be- occer fans of a certain age will the World Cup because you are tournament 12 times, losing three fi - fore playing Iraq at the same venue always remember Falcao at alongside the greatest athletes of all nals including at London 2012. and Denmark in Salvador. the World Cup in 1982 and his the world’s sports. In football, it’s The list of players who have tried Falcao said the pressure this year starring role alongside Zico, just footballers. and failed to win Olympic gold reads will be twice as great in front of a SSocrates and Cerezo in one of the “Even though football usually like an all-time greatest Brazil team. home crowd. greatest Brazil sides of all time. gets all the headlines the Olympics As well as Falcao they include Jun- Brazil have shown psychological Their heartbreaking 3-2 defeat is unique because of that rubbing of ior (1976), Dunga (1984), Taff arel frailties in recent years, notably in by Italy in the second group stage shoulders in the Olympic village. and Romario (1988), Roberto Carlos the 7-1 collapse against Germany in that cost them a semi-fi nal spot “Everyone walked about and and Ronaldo (1996), Lucio and Ro- the World Cup semi-fi nal in 2014, was unforgettable and the tourna- everyone could see everyone else, naldinho (2000), Thiago Silva and but the man known as the ‘King of ment etched Falcao’s name in the we sat together in the cafeteria, we Marcelo (2008). Rome’ said the key will be making history books. swapped keyrings with other ath- The Olympic gold medal is the the pressure work in their favour. But when he looks back on the letes, it really was beautiful.” only international title Brazil have “It is the only title we haven’t great moments of his career, another Falcao need not feel bad about not won and they are desperate to won so the press talk about it every less heralded occasion still warms Brazil’s awful campaign in Munich fi nally break that hoodoo in front of day and that creates a pressure,” his heart. since their failure to win a soccer their own fans next month. said Falcao. The 1972 Munich Olympics was gold is a regular sob story even in the They have senior team captain “But I think the pressure, if they a disappointment for Brazil’s play- modern era where top professionals Neymar among their three-over age learn how to work with it, can be ers but losses to Denmark and Iran, compete. players and can also count on a host positive rather than negative. The sandwiching a draw against Hun- Until 1992, the Olympic soccer of other big names including Ney- advantage is that the Olympic team gary, tell only half the story. tournament was for amateurs and mar’s Barcelona teammate Rafi nha, now are all highly professional, they The Olympics, Falcao told Reu- most of the 1972 team were teenag- Marquinhos from Paris St-Germain all play in diffi cult leagues and they ters, was something special. “It was ers. Future AS Roma great Falcao, and Felipe Anderson of Lazio. are as good as the others. a unique moment,” he said in a tel- who would win Serie A, two Italian Santos’ Gabriel Barbosa and 19- “We are one of the favourites, as ephone interview earlier this month cups and a European Cup runners- year old Gabriel Jesus, who have both we always are.” Gulf Times Tuesday, July 26, 2016 5 SPORT

WASHINGTON OPEN TENNIS ROUND-UP Konta topples Monfi ls rallies past Venus for fi rst WTA title Karlovic to triumph AFP gone from strength to strength, San Francisco making the second week of both Indian Wells and Miami, and reaching the semi-fi nals at East- Frenchman took his sixth ATP title, his first since 2014 at Montpellier ritain’s Johanna Konta bourne. “It’s daily work,” Konta captured her fi rst WTA said of her rise. “It’s daily desire title in style on Sunday, to keep getting better.” beating former world numberB one Venus Williams Djokovic happy to be back 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 at the WTA hard- on hard courts court tournament in Stanford, California. Konta, ranked 18th World number one Novak Djok- in the world and seeded third, ovic is looking forward to play- appeared on her way to an em- ing on his favoured hardcourt phatic victory in her fi rst career surface at the Rogers Cup in To- fi nal after racing to a 4-1 lead ronto, but the Serb urged caution with two breaks of serve in the as he returns to action for the second set. fi rst time since his shock Wim- But Williams, seeking her 50th bledon exit. career title, won six of the next The 29-year-old, who was seven games to knot the match aiming to become the fi rst man at a set apiece. The 25-year-old since Rod Laver in 1969 to win Konta, who fi red 12 aces to three all four grand slams in a year, from Williams, didn’t let the suff ered a third-round loss to seven-time Grand Slam cham- American Sam Querrey at Wim- pion’s resurgence rattle her. bledon. However, Djokovic, who “Quite honestly you’d expect has won three of the fi ve Mas- nothing less of a champion that ters tournaments this season, she is,” Konta said. “That’s what is keeping his expectations in Gael Monfils of France returns a shot great champions do. They raise check for the Rogers Cup, which during his 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 win over Ivo Karlovic their level. They defi nitely don’t he has won three times. of Croatia in the final of the Citi Open at Rock give away a match.” “I don’t expect anything. I just Creek Tennis Center in Washington. (AFP) “It was quite an incredibly try to get myself ready for per- humbling experience,” added forming as best as I can,” Djoko- Konta, the fi rst Briton to win the vic told the ATP website (www. tournament since Sue Barker atpworldtour.com). “I had a bit in 1977. “It’s a great validation more time because of the early of the hard work you do put in, loss at Wimbledon to spend and it’s a great motivator on the some quality time with fam- things you want to keep getting ily, regroup a little bit and start better at, the length you want training on hard court, which I to go to become that much more enjoy the most. So I look forward better at your discipline.” to it. I have a wonderful history Konta had launched her ca- in the Rogers Cup in Toronto reer-best season with a win over and Montreal. That’s what goes Williams in the fi rst round of through my mind right now. Just the Australian Open, where she enjoy, play well, play singles and went on to reach the semi-fi nals. doubles and get as many hours in Britain’s top player has since as possible.”

AFP “If it was a normal match I would have prior three fi nals in a row, including in mania’s Monica Niculescu. “Conditions Washington won it right there,” Karlovic said. “At that February at Rotterdam and April at Mon- were really hot out there. It was tough.” moment, I just didn’t have it. I’m not te Carlo, and eight of his past nine fi nals Monfi ls, who will jump from 17th to used to that. Usually I’m able to just win since 2011. 14th in the world rankings, squandered rance’s Gael Monfi ls saved a it. Today I didn’t. I’m disappointed a lot.” Karlovic, who fell to 7-9 in ATP fi nals, three break points in the 12th game and match point and battled back Flamboyant Monfi ls denied Karlovic won his seventh career title last week on dropped the fi rst set on a Karlovic over- with sharp returns in swelter- on a match point in the second-set tie- Newport grass to become the oldest tour head smash. Karlovic, who will jump into ing heat to defeat Ivo Karlovic breaker as well, broke him again in the singles champion since 1979. But a ninth the top 30 in the rankings, broke to lead 5-7,F 7-6 (6), 6-4 in Sunday’s Washington third game of the fi nal set and held from match in two weeks proved too much for 5-4 in the second set but again handed Open fi nal. The 29-year-old Frenchman there to win in two hours and 13 minutes. him. “I was better in the fi rst two sets and Monfi ls triple break point only to save took his sixth ATP title, his fi rst since “Today was pure luck,” Monfi ls said. “It after that I was dead,” Karlovic said. “It them all. Monfi ls hit a forehand volley 2014 at Montpellier, fi rst outside of Eu- was a few opportunities, a few shots, and was really hot out there. winner and Karlovic sent a forehand long rope and fi rst outdoor trophy since Sopot I managed to make it. It was just a few I just didn’t have any energy left but I to surrender a break. “It’s tough to serve in 2005 as well as claiming the top prize shots. It wasn’t like a regular win.” was trying to push myself.” and volley for two hours in the heat,” of $348,200 on the US capital hardcourts. Monfi ls became the third French player Monfi ls said. In the tie-breaker, Karlovic “I’m very happy,” Monfi ls said. “It has to win the Washington crown after Yan- Wickmayer takes two crowns had match point at 6-5 but Monfi ls an- been a good year so far. It’s a good step but nick Noah in 1985 and Arnaud Clement in Belgian seventh seed Yanina Wickmayer, swered with two service winners of his hopefully I will have bigger.” 2006 and noted how Noah and 1973 win- a 2009 US Open semi-fi nalist, defeated own and Karlovic netted a forehand vol- Monfi ls withstood a barrage of 27 aces ner Arthur Ashe were special inspirations 122nd-ranked American Lauren Davis ley to surrender the set. Monfi ls broke in from the 37-year-old Croatian, fi ring to him. “To have my name with them, it 6-4, 6-2, to capture her fi fth WTA ti- the third game of the fi nal set and held back 16 of his own. He ended Karlovic’s means a lot to me,” Monfi ls said. tle and her fi rst since last year in Tokyo. from there to take the match. “I was very streak of 70 unbroken service games Monfi ls improved to 6-19 in ATP fi nals, “This has just been an amazing week for lucky he missed that volley. There was when the Croatian served for the match including a 2011 Washington fi nal loss to me,” said Wickmayer, who also won the the belief (I could win), but it was very Johanna Konta of Great Britain poses with the trophy after defeating in the 10th game of the second set. Radek Stepanek. Monfi ls had dropped his women’s doubles crown alongside Ro- tough.” Monfi ls said. Venus Williams of the United States in Stanford, California. (AFP)

PGA TOUR GOLF Vegas powers to easy US beat South Korea to clinch LPGA Canadian Open win International Crown team title AFP AFP Chicago Montreal ristie Kerr birdied the par-5 16th enezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas started fast hole to give the United States the and fi nished strong Sunday to seize a one- title-clinching victory Sunday at shot victory in the US PGA Tour’s Canadi- the LPGA International Crown an Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club near To- teamC matches, edging South Korea by a Vronto. Vegas’s eight-under par 64 included plenty point. The Americans, who failed to even of fi reworks, starting with fi ve straight birdies from qualify for the decisive last-day singles the second through the sixth holes. He capped his matches in the 2014 inaugural edition of the round with a burst of three straight birdies, card- event, captured the trophy with 13 points ing nine overall with one bogey for a 12-under par over the four-day event to 12 for South Ko- total of 276. rea and 11 for England and Taiwan. “I knew I had to get off to a fast start,” said Vegas, Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Gerina who was fi ve off the pace when play began. “I know Piller and Kerr combined for a 6-3 with one that I was in striking distance, but I had to get my- halved record through three days of four- self close to the lead early so the guys kind of know ball matches and the singles — taking the I was there. So I just kept pushing and kept fi ring at title after losing both matches to England pins and kept really going right after it. I got a really on the opening day of the tournament. good momentum, and obviously I was able to close “It’s huge,” Lewis said. “This week has it out with some birdies.” been unbelievable for us. To be called the Dustin Johnson, a co-leader after each of the best golfi ng nation I think is pretty satisfy- fi rst two rounds who was tied for second heading ing. We never gave up. We had zero points into Sunday, shot a fi nal-round 69 and fi nished in the fi rst day, and we still ended up with the a three-way tie for second on 277. He was joined by most. It’s just a testament to them and their Spain’s Jon Rahm, who closed with a bogey-free 67 will to want to win this thing.” that included a birdie on the fi nal hole, and Scot- At the Merit Club in suburban Chicago, Lexi Thompson (from left), Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller of the United land’s Martin Laird, who also signed for a 67. Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela poses with the Kerr led from fi rst hole to last in beating States pose with the trophy after winning the 2016 UL International Crown Champions Overnight leader Brandt Snedeker fi red a one- trophy after winning the Canadian Open at in England’s Mel Reid 3 and 2 to secure the tri- at the Merit Club in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday. (AFP) under 71 that left him in a group on 278 alongside Oakville, Canada. (AFP) umph. Kerr won four of the fi rst fi ve holes, fellow Americans Ricky Barnes (68) and Steve saw her edge trimmed to 1-up after 14, but it’s just so hard to fi gure out who’s making never trailed in beating Taiwan’s Tseng Ya- Wheatcroft (69) and Germany’s Alex Cejka (69). 14th on 281. Vegas, 29, earned his second PGA Tour then won 15 with a par and birdied 16 for points, who’s winning, who’s losing. I knew Ni 4 and 3 to set the stage for Kerr’s dra- Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy tied for the best round of win more than fi ve years after capturing his fi rst at the clincher — not that she realized what some good things were happening but it was matic triumph while Thompson fell 2 and 1 the tournament, a 63, to surge from 44th place to a the 2011 Bob Hope Classic. Sunday’s victory gives she had done. “I just tried to take care of getting really hot out there. I tried to play to South Korea’s Ryu So-Yeon, keeping the tie for ninth on 279. The group also included Cana- him a two-year Tour exemption as well as berths in my match. I didn’t know that it had come as well as I could coming in. Yeah, it’s very trophy in doubt to the fi nish. “Gerina and I dian amateur Jared du Toit, who carded a 71. the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol Golf down to me winning that match that we had satisfying.” Lewis never trailed in defeat- went out there getting points early and that World number one and defending champion Jas- Club in New Jersey and in next year’s Masters at won until Stacy told me,” Kerr said. “I just ing Japan’s Mika Miyazato 3 and 2, sweep- was huge and we got Kerr through, so we got on Day of Australia closed with a 67 to fi nish tied for Augusta National. kind of got oblivious to all of that because ing holes 13 to 15 to claim victory, and Piller a crown,” Lewis said. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, July 26, 2016 SPORT

BASEBALL Rice deserves redemptive chance after domestic-violence scandal By George Diaz Orlando Sentinel

nd so Ray Rice says he will donate his entire salary DeShields delivers to organisations focused on domestic-violence pre- vention if an NFL team signs him as the training camp Aclock goes tick, tick, tick. Predictable reaction: Eye-roll. Smirk. Maybe pff t! I hope it happens. Seriously. Is Rice driven by ego, self-preservation and insincerity? Per- haps. Maybe highly likely. So what? Where is the harm? Rice has a family to support, including his wife, Janay, the wom- for Rangers in tight an he slapped in an elevator in Atlantic City in 2014, captured in the infamous video that eff ectively destroyed Rice’s NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. Rice’s return can give a voice to an average of three women killed every day by an intimate partner in the United States as well as the nearly 20 people per minute who are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coali- tion Against Domestic Violence. 2-1 win over Royals And the NFL could certainly use some positive news, dealing with a tarnished image with domestic violence and its players. The point is that Rice is trying to do some good here. He’s ‘It’s definitely good to get two in a row and win a series for the first time in a while’ owned up to his crimes, and obviously needs the work. “All the scrutiny that I’ve got, it was deserved, because domes- tic violence is a horrible thing,” Rice told USA Today Sports this past week. “Me donating my salary is something that’ll be from Texas Rangers’ Delino DeShields teals second,sliding past the base the heart for me. I only want to play football so I can end it the and back on before the tag from Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides right way for my kids and for the people that really believed Escobar in the third inning at Kauff man Stadium in Kansas City. in me. But I know there’s a lot of people aff ected by domestic (Kansas City Star/TNS) violence, and every dollar helps. It’s raising awareness.” Will it also raise eyebrows? Of course it will, much like the cyni- cal shots aimed at Michael Vick when he became an unlikely advocate, speaking up against animal cruelty. Yep, same guy as dog-killer Michael Vick, who served a year and a half of his 23-month sentence in a federal prison for his role in a dog- fighting operation. As a dog lover and owner, I supported Vick’s redemption road as well. What he did was despicable. What Rice did was despi- cable. But all anyone can do with their life is move on and try to live a better one. Vick has done as much with his conflicted image. He appeared before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Decem- ber, lobbying for passage of an animal-rights bill that would allow police off icers to rescue dogs or cats from vehicles if it reaches an unsafe temperature. Rice is looking for his redemptive journey as well, though he faces other challenges, mostly performance-based. Vick had some mileage left in his playing career. Quarterbacks are always at a premium. Running backs are not in a league that is pass-happy. Rice has some very strong negatives, including the fact that he is push- ing 30 and had a spotty 3.1 yards per carry average the last time he took the field in 2013. The fact that he was once a the three- time Pro Bowl running back amounts to ancient history. Rice’s chance at redemption is a long one, but it merits consid- eration. “I’d say give him a chance,” said Carol Wick, former CEO of Har- bor House, a domestic-violence shelter in Central Florida. But like many people, Wick raises concerns about sincerity. “It’s always hard when you look at a situation like that and you see the person is trying to do something for themselves to get back into the NFL. ... Abusers are always self-serving.” Statistics indicate that 50 % of abusers can change. By all ac- counts, Rice is in the positive half of that 50-50 population. Give it a coin flip. Better yet, give the man a chance, give the man a job, so he can do some good in this world. Whether he’s truly sincere of not, the end game is a good thing.

By Stefan Stevenson a leadoff single, but the defense, ond out, but prevented the Roy- looking for a little momentum he said. “There is some impor- Fort Worth Star-Telegram which has struggled at times als from having the tying run at to play well to go home [with]. tance to the momentum of going during the past few weeks, came third base with one out. That’s the biggest key, to feel home, of playing well. Win or up big. “I was like, ‘No, this ball is go- good going home and start a lose, that momentum of playing he Texas Rangers, believe Second baseman Rougned ing nowhere,’ “ he said. “I just stretch of games. We get to good games kind of pushes you or not, have a home in Odor saved a throw in the dirt put my chest in there and thank spend a week at home.” in the right direction. Arlington, Texas. They from Dyson on a line-drive God I caught it.” The schedule swings back in “We get to go home to our fi nally return Monday comebacker to get the second out The Rangers fi nished the trip their favor. The Rangers, who house where we’re comfortable, forT their fi rst game at Globe Life on a force at second base. Catch- 3-6 and won their fi rst series lead the Astros by 2 {games in sleep in our beds, and have that Park in more than two weeks. er Robinson Chirinos quickly since June 26. How bad has it the American League West, play schedule kind of play in our fa- The team fl ight home, which jumped out to fi eld a tapper in been? They won consecutive 37 of their fi nal 63 games in Ar- vor.” included most of the club’s front of the plate and threw a games for the fi rst time since lington, and their fi nal 15 overall top executives, likely carried a strike to fi rst for the fi nal out. taking the fi rst two against the are against teams currently well RESULTS sense of relief after the Rang- “That was extremely tough. Yankees on June 27-28. under.500. NY Yankees 5 San Francisco 2 ers salvaged a rough, nine-game I guarantee you [Dyson] didn’t “It’s been a while,” said Dyson, “It is a challenge and ob- Toronto ...... 2 Seattle ...... 0 road trip with consecutive wins throw it straight,” Rangers man- who earned his 20th save. “It’s stacle,” said Banister, who ac- Arizona ...... 9 Cincinnati ...... 8 against the Kansas City Royals at ager Jeff Banister said with a defi nitely good to get two in a knowledge managing games a NY Mets ...... 3 Miami ...... 0 Kauff man Stadium. The Rangers chuckle. row and win a series for the fi rst little diff erently early on, spe- Baltimore ....5 Cleveland ...... 3 held on for a nail-biting 2-1 win “You can be taught [to put time in a while.” cifi cally with his bullpen usage, Boston ...... 8 Minnesota ...... 7 Sunday afternoon. your body in front of the ball] If it feels like the Rangers have while trying to bank wins. Pittsburgh ..5 Philadelphia ...4 Delino DeShields, recalled but there are times when that spent more than a month on the “To make sure we tried to lock San Diego 10 Washington.... 6 from Triple-A Round Rock on sphincter muscle doesn’t allow road, it’s because it’s not too far down some of those W’s know- Chicago Cubs 6 Milwaukee .5 Wednesday, homered in the sev- you to sit in there. He sacrifi ced from the truth. Since June 9, the ing tough times were ahead, yes,” Chicago WSox 4 Detroit ...... 3 enth to snap a 1-1 tie, and the everything he had to catch a Rangers have played 10 home Banister said. “Never will I use Houston.... 13 LA Angels ...... 3 Rangers’ bullpen tossed four baseball. That’s the determina- games and 29 road games. They that as any form of excuse.” Chicago WSox 5 Detroit ...... 4 scoreless innings after starter AJ tion that these guys had and how went 20-19 in the span. And playing at home doesn’t Texas ...... 2 Kansas City ...... 1 Griffi n gave them fi ve solid in- much they want to win.” “I feel good about it,” Banis- make winning automatic, either, Oakland .....3 Tampa Bay ...... 2 nings. Closer Sam Dyson found Odor, who was 3 for 3 with a ter said. “Look, that’s a tough Banister said. Colorado ....7 Atlanta ...... 2 himself in a jam in the ninth after walk, not only recorded the sec- stretch, that 39 games. We were “We still have to play good,” LA Dodgers 9 St. Louis ...... 6

FOCUS Griff ey, Piazza inducted into MLB Hall of Fame

Reuters for making this kid’s dream come fore breaking into the league two runs by a catcher with 396. New York true,” Griff ey said. years later as a 19-year-old. He fi nished with 427 homers He then reached underneath A 13-time All-Star and 10- overall during a 16-year career the podium, pulled out a Hall time Gold Glove Award winner with the Dodgers, Florida Mar- ith his distinctive of Fame cap and placed it back- in center fi eld, Griff ey hit 630 lins, New York Mets, San Diego style and ear-to-ear wards upon his head — just as he home runs, sixth all-time, and Padres and Oakland Athletics. smile, Ken Griff ey had done while warming up for drove in 1,836 runs. He also was Boasting a career batting av- Jr. was inducted into games throughout his career. the American League MVP in erage of.308, Piazza will long be Wthe Major League Baseball (MLB) 1997. remembered for hitting a game- Hall of Fame on Sunday along But his legacy is as much But his legacy is as much about winning home run for the Mets with former slugger Mike Piazza. about the attractive way he the attractive way he performed in the fi rst sporting event played Nicknamed “The Kid”, performed as the numbers as the numbers he produced in in New York after the September Griff ey’s timeless swing and he produced in achieving achieving 99.3 % of the Hall of 11, 2001 attacks. grace in the outfi eld made him 99.3 % of the Hall of Fame Fame votes cast. “To all the legends and Hall of one of the most exciting and votes cast. Piazza’s ride to Cooperstown Famers on this stage behind me, popular players in baseball his- was less ordained as he rose from you all have given us great joy tory, and he once again thrilled Griff ey played 22 seasons with a 62nd round draft pick by the and inspiration,” Piazza said. fans during his ceremony in the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Los Angeles Dodgers to a hulking “The only way I ever thought I Cooperstown, New York. Reds and Chicago White Sox, fi gure behind the plate. would ever be here with you is if “I want to thank my family, though the bulk of his glory came Piazza, a 12-time All-Star and I bought a ticket. It’s a testament my friends, the fans, the Reds, in Seattle, where he was drafted former Rookie of the Year, owns to our great country and game the White Sox and the Mariners No. 1 overall in the 1987 draft be- the MLB record for most home that dreams can come true.” Gulf Times Tuesday, July 26, 2016 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Mercedes’ Hamilton on top, surrounded by controversies ‘He had everything under control. He knew Nico was behind and didn’t realise the train was approaching fast’

AFP Budapest Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Hamilton still feels more Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory with the trophy on the podium at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest hunter than hunted ewis Hamilton departed aft er the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix. (AFP) Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton still sees Budapest yesterday as the himself as hunter rather than hunted in the For- beaming new leader of this mula One title race despite victory in Hungary year’s world championship putting him in the overall lead for the first time Land at the centre of a trio of contro- this season. versies in the wake of his record fi fth The Briton seized the lead from Mercedes victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix. team mate and title rival Nico Rosberg after an The defending world champion unprecedented fifth victory at the Hungaroring was involved in a a row over yellow on Sunday that opened up a six-point lead over fl ags with his Mercedes team-mate the German. Nico Rosberg, accused of ‘backing With half the 21-race season now completed him up’ in the race and also of show- and Germany’s Hockenheim circuit next up on ing a lack of respect to a back-mark- Sunday, Hamilton, who has often spoken of how er who had blocked him. he thrives in adversity, still sees himself in hot But he showed no signs of serious pursuit. concern other than a worry that the “I’m just still in the same mentality of chasing, race stewards’ inconsistent interpre- I’m still chasing,” he told reporters. tation of the fl ag rules was dangerous “(It’s) been great to be able to come back with and required clarifi cation. fewer engines, with the struggle that we had Hamilton was accused of ‘backing at the beginning of the year, so I’m very, very up’ second-placed Rosberg during proud of that but conscious that there’s still a Sunday’s race - driving slower than long way to go.” he could to push his rival back within Hamilton trailed Rosberg by a massive 43 points reach of third-placed Red Bull driver after May’s Spanish Grand Prix following a spate Daniel Ricciardo - but this was dis- of reliability problems in the early part of the missed by Mercedes team chief Toto season. Wolff . The 31-year-old, who singled out that Barcelona “I don’t think he was backing him race and the collision between the Mercedes up at all,” said Wolff . “I’m sure he pair as the low point of his season, has hit back didn’t want to back him up. with a run of five wins from the last six races “The whole weekend we discussed including victory in the last three. with them the need to be very cau- His early season troubles have left him short of tious on the tyres. When you hear power unit components, however, and Hamilton constant messaging that ‘the tyres knows he may have to take a grid penalty or might not last’, you want to manage start from the back of the grid at some point them. later in the year. “He (Hamilton) over-managed it In order to limit the damage to his title hopes, probably. He had everything under Hamilton is aiming for maximum points with control. He knew Nico was behind races like Silverstone two weeks ago, where he and didn’t realise the train was ap- claimed a sensational win on home soil after proaching fast.” dominating all weekend. Hamilton said: “I was turning my “I really would love to come out of the next race engine up and down, managing it as with another result like this so that when I do go much as I needed to... to Spa or Monza, whichever one it is that I have I wasn’t backing Nico up. to take my penalty...that it’s minimum damage,” “He was quick enough to close the he said. gap, if he really wanted to, and chal- “So I need to make sure I stay on it, like Silver- lenge. After the radio message, I was stone weekends, from now on.” able to pick pace and really go for it.” Hockenheim is the last race before the August Hamilton was widely praised for break, with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa and his stand on the meaning of yellow then Italy’s Monza following on after that. fl ags, after Rosberg had set his fast- est lap to claim pole while driving through waved double yellows, for Vettel supports Hamilton in fl ag row which he escaped a penalty. “The stewards need to come up Sebastian Vettel backed world champion Lewis with some kind of solution because Hamilton’s opinion that Nico Rosberg should the whole 23 years of my racing, it have been penalised for driving through yellow has been ‘if it’s yellow fl ag, you slow flags in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix. down’ and if it’s double yellow fl ag, The four-time world champion yesterday repeat- be prepared to stop. ed the view of race winner Hamilton by saying “And Nico was doing the same that it was a bad example to other drivers. speed at the apex as I was doing on “The worst thing about this is that we are an the previous timed lap... example,” said the Ferrari driver. If there happened to be a car that claiming he had lifted and slowed things - he should respect all of the hat-trick, Hamilton has now turned “I fully expected him to come “And next week, there’ll be a go-kart race some- had spun, or a marshal on the track, substantially, Esteban Gutierrez ac- competitors.” a 43-point defi cit in May into a six- back and I didn’t expect to be 43 where and there will be a double yellow flag it would have been pretty hard for cused Hamilton of lacking respect Hamilton responded: “He just point lead ahead of this week’s Ger- points in front all the time. - because somebody went off - and the marshals him to slow down.” with a single-fi nger gesture aimed at didn’t abide by the fl ags that I could man Grand Prix at Hockenheim. “It ebbs and fl ows and it’s always probably go out to help him. him as he passed his Haas car. see were being waved at him. On current form, he looks unstop- going to be a tough battle because “And then, the way the kids think, is ‘I don’t need ‘Lack of respect’ “Not a very respectful move from I lost so much time behind him pable, but Rosberg, who won the fi rst he’s the world champion. It’s still to lift off much because in Formula One it’s OK’. As that argument raged in the him,” said the Mexican, when told and at the same time Nico was four races of the year, believes he can close and it only takes a small thing And that’s us, the pinnacle, and that’s how we post-race news conference where a about it. “He’s the world champion, catching me.” bounce back again. “I’ve always said to switch it the other way - and I have to behave,” he said. visibly angry Rosberg responded by but he shouldn’t do these kinds of Having completed a mid-season I’m not counting points,” he said. want to do that at Hockenheim.”

RUGBY Shaqab’s al-Sowaidi wins silver Hansen extends All Blacks deal

AFP Wellington

ll Blacks coach Steve Hansen yesterday re- signed with the New Zealanders until 2019, giving him the chance to defend the World Cup in Japan. AHansen has already been involved in two World Cup wins with the All Blacks, as assistant coach in 2011 and head coach in 2015, overseeing a spell of unprecedented success. “It’s good news for everyone involved in rugby in this country,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew told reporters. Hansen’s existing contract was due to expire next year, when the British and Irish Lions tour New Zealand. He said the recent 3-0 Test series win over Wales had confi rmed he still had the passion for the job and he de- cided to continue after discussions with his family. Hansen added that support from the players and management for him to stay in the job was unanimous. “Once I got over those discussions it was a real no- brainer because it’s the best job going,” he said, adding that he was relishing the prospect of the All Blacks chas- ing three World Cups in a row. The 57-year-old was appointed in late 2011 after serv- Tew said the contract extension gave NZR time to look “I love what the All Blacks are, the history that comes ing as assistant coach under Graham Henry for eight for a long-term successor to Hansen, ideally one who Al Shaqab Endurance Team’s Mohamed Khalifa al-Sowaidi bagged with them and the legacy that they’ve created. I’m really years, including the All Blacks World Cup victory on would work under him at the 2019 World Cup. a silver medal astride Al Shaqab’s young horse, Dufawan in CEI2* grateful and love being part of it.” home soil in 2011. He signed a contract extension in 2014 “We’ve got an opportunity now leading through to 120-KM event in Mouzieys Teulet, France. With an average speed During Hansen’s tenure as All Blacks head coach, they and repaid NZR’s faith in him last year by guiding the All 2020 to make sure that we do a really good job around of 17.160, it was one of the best performances of al-Sowaidi. have won 52 Tests, drawn two and lost just three, giving Blacks to their fi rst World Cup title outside New Zealand. succession planning,” he said. Dufawan is the grandson of Mirwan Al Shaqab and the horse will him a winning percentage of 92.1 %. Hansen, a former policeman who played in the South “You can see with what’s going on in Super Rugby and be participating in the World Championship for Young Horses in “We’ll need to be better if we want to continue to im- Island rugby stronghold of Canterbury, also coached with some of our Kiwi coaches around the world that Negrepelisse, France on September 24. prove as a team... we’re capable of doing that,” he said. Wales to the quarter-fi nals of the 2003 World Cup. we’ve got some very, very good New Zealand coaches.” Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, July 26, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS AIBA denies bid to take over the sport Stevenson — next US AFP sociation. But Wu rejected the Shanghai charges saying that “only the best AIBA boxers” would be facing professional fi ghters. he International Box- Speaking about the new re- ing Association (AIBA) lationship with Alibaba, Wu yesterday denied ac- predicted a bright future for cusations it is trying to boxing in China, which he de- boxing sensation? Ttake over the sport, following scribed as a “noble sport” that a controversial decision to let could “prepare youth for the professional boxers fi ght at the challenges which they face in ‘I’m looking forward to winning a gold medal and doing it in front of all my family’ Rio Olympics. society”. At an AIBA congress in Chinese President Xi Jinping Lausanne in Switzerland last has made the development of month, 95 % of delegates voted the country’s ailing football to allow professional boxers for team a national priority, but the fi rst time ever to enter the Wu did not see this as a barrier competition. to the development of boxing. The decision was met with “President Xi Jinping loves widespread derision in the boxing — wait and see,” he told boxing world, with many mak- AFP. ing their views clear even be- Alibaba, which owns a 37 % fore the change was made. stake in Asian football cham- AIBA president Wu Ching- pions Guangzhou Evergrande Kuo said the organisation had Taobao, launched Alisports no plans to take over the sport last September to develop the and allowing professionals to sporting economy in “an inno- compete in Olympic boxing vative way with digital think- was a great step forward for it. ing”, according to its website. The offi cial, who is Taiwan- In the months since then ese, made the comments at a Alisports has signed deals to press conference to announce a stream NFL American football joint venture to promote boxing games in China and sponsor between AIBA and Alisports, FIFA’s Club World Cup, and an arm of Chinese internet gi- announced a partnership with ant Alibaba which is owned by basketball’s governing body entrepreneur Jack Ma. FIBA. “We never said we want to The Chinese government take over boxing. We just want said in 2014 it aimed to grow to open the door because no one the country’s sports market can stop athletes from going to to more than fi ve trillion yuan the Olympics, that is a funda- ($760bn) by 2025 to become mental concept,” Wu said. “a vital driver for sustainable “If the athlete says ‘My economic and social develop- dream is to go to the Olympics’, ment”. then we just want to open the Many Chinese companies door.” are seeking to ride the wave, In May legendary boxing with high-profi le deals includ- promoter Bob Arum told AFP ing property behemoth Wan- the plan to introduce profes- da’s acquisition of Swiss sports sional boxers was “total mad- marketing group Infront and a ness” and would result in “se- share of Spanish football club rious injuries”. Atletico Madrid. Arum believed the decision A consortium led by state- was commercially orientated, backed China Media Capital with AIBA seeing more lucra- has bought a $400m stake in tive opportunities, and part of Premier League giants Man- a wider power grab by the as- chester City.

Team USA boxer Shakur Stevenson (L) and Olympic hopeful Antonio Vargas sparing against each other at the Boxing Center at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (AFP)

AFP infl uential rapper who was shot comes in Rio, where profession- Stevenson does not lack confi - some of American boxing’s great New York dead in 1996 on a trip to Las Ve- als will step into the ring for the dence, saying recently: “I expect careers — Muhammad Ali, Joe gas to see a boxing match. fi rst time in the Olympics. it (Rio) to be an amazing place, Frazier, George Foreman, Sugar But behind the ever-beaming The bubbly teenager already something like I’ve never seen Ray Leonard and Evander Holy- he story of teenage Ol- grin, supreme confi dence and has a “Rio 2016” tattoo on one before and I want to stay focused fi eld were all in the Games. ympic medal hopeful memorable name there is un- shoulder blade and is regarded on what I do. But there is added pressure Shakur Stevenson reads doubted talent: Stevenson, who as Team USA’s brightest medal “I’m looking forward to win- on Stevenson because while the like the plot line for a is only 19, is the fi rst American hope in the Olympic boxing ning a gold medal and doing it in United States tops the medal T“Rocky” movie. male to win junior and youth competition. front of all my family.” table in Olympic boxing history, The American bantamweight world titles and a Youth Olympic Stevenson remains an amateur Stevenson is dismissive of the the men’s team failed to win a is the oldest of nine siblings, Games gold medal. for now — only a handful of pros threat posed by professionals in single medal in London four took up boxing at the age of “He really didn’t need any will take part in Rio — and is so Rio. years ago. just fi ve and grew up in a rough motivation once he got into box- desperate to have his large fam- “I don’t mind it,” Stevenson, No male American boxer has neighbourhood of Newark, New ing because it was something he ily behind him that he launched who boasts a perfect 23-0 in- won gold since 2004 when An- Jersey where it was all too easy to had to do,” said his grandfather a crowd-funding campaign to ternational record but has lost dre Ward, now an unbeaten pro, fall prey to a life of crime. Wali Moses, who was his fi rst raise money to get them to Brazil. to American rival Ruben Villa topped the podium. His style, speed and smart coach. Winning gold will help pro- twice, told the offi cial Olympic “I saw that the 2012 (boxing) boxing brain has drawn compar- “He knew that he wanted to vide a better life for his family, website. team — not to say anything bad isons to Floyd Mayweather, who do something besides be a kid he says — that includes getting “I feel like professionals are about them — they didn’t do too fought in the Olympics in 1996 on the streets of Newark so he them all out of Newark for a new coming to my territory because good and didn’t bring back no and went on to become a boxing made extra (eff orts) to make sure start somewhere else. they’re not used to fi ghting every medals,” says Stevenson, a grin legend before retiring last year that he wasn’t,” Moses told USA single day and they’re not used forming again across his youth- unbeaten. Today. Professional threat to having to make the weight ful features. And if the “Shakur” sounds The latest chapter in Steven- As befi ts a teenager who had to every single day. It’s a quicker “I felt, put me in their posi- (L to R) Managing director of YunFeng Capital Xia Xiaoyan, AIBA familiar, it should — Stevenson son’s rapid rise to what many grow up fast and describes him- pace.” tion, I think I will bring back a president Ching Kuo-Wu and CEO of Alisports Zhang Dazhong is named after Tupac Shakur, the boxing experts say will be the top self as the family bread-winner, The Olympics have heralded gold medal.” pose during a press conference in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP)

BOXING FIBA 3x3 U-18 Asian champions get heroes’ welcome Crawford beats Postol to unify WBO, WBC super lightweight world titles

AFP potential date with Manny Pac- but Crawford didn’t yield. Los Angeles quiao in the Filipino’s return to “I just stick to what I knew — the ring likely later this year in boxing,” Crawford said. Las Vegas. “They say he’s got the best nbeaten Terence “It’s whatever,” Crawford jab in my division, I proved dif- Crawford punched said of a possible fi ght with Pac- ferent today.” his way to a lopsided quiao. “I let my coaches handle On the undercard, unbeaten 12-round unanimous that. I’m a fi ghter. I’ll fi ght any- Oscar Valdez stopped previous- decisionU over Viktor Postol Sat- body. I’m looking forward to the ly unbeaten Matias Rueda in the urday to unify the World Boxing biggest and best fi ghts to get me second round to claim the va- Organization and World Box- to that next level.” cant WBO featherweight world ing Council super lightweight Crawford, 28, was content to title. Mexico’s Valdez, a two- world titles. feel Postol out over the fi rst three time Olympian who improved Crawford, who improved to rounds, before landing a series to 21-0 with 18 knockouts as a 29-0 with 20 knockouts, dropped of damaging lefts in the fourth. professional, staggered Rueda Postol twice in the fi fth round to He had Postol’s knee on the can- in the fi rst round and dropped seize control of the bout at the vas in the opening seconds of him twice in the second with MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las the fi fth with a right hook, and body shots — with Rueda failing Vegas, with two judges scoring it sent him down again in the same to rise the second time. 118-107 for the American and the round with another left. Rueda fell to 26-1 with 23 third seeing it 117-108. As Postol struggled to deal knockouts. “This was my dream In handing Postol his fi rst with Crawford’s quick, erratic since I was eight years old,” Qatar’s basketball players yesterday pose with the FIBA 3x3 U-18 Asian Championship trophy as they arrived at Hamad International defeat in 29 fi ghts, Crawford movement, the American won said Valdez. “It is the dream we Airport in Doha after winning the second edition of the championship in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. Qatar defeated the Philippines 21-9 in the not only added the Ukrainian’s round after round, staggering shared, me and my father. I just final on Sunday. The players were greeted upon arrival by the Qatar Basketball Federation off icials. PICTURE: Nasar K Moideen WBC belt to his own WBO ti- Postol again in the ninth. Postol work hard in the gym. We got to tle, he put himself in line for a tried to pour it on in the 12th, accomplish our dream.” Gulf Times Tuesday, July 26, 2016 9 CYCLING

WRAP-UP AT A GLANCE

Yellow jersey Chris Froome (GBR) Team Sky Green points jersey Peter Sagan (SVK) Tinkoff -Saxo Polkadot mountains jersey Rafal Majka (POL) Tinkoff -Saxo ‘Running Man’ Froome White young riders jersey Adam Yates (GBR) Orica-Bike Yellow team helmets Movistar (ESP) Super-combativity award Peter Sagan (SVK) Tinkoff -Saxo 5 key moments highlight of stale Tour Deflategate: With the top contenders watching each other like hawks and generally The 2016 race won’t live long in memories, but that moment will, as Chris Froome, clad from head remaining close together, young Briton Adam Yates took a rare to toe in yellow and on foot, sensationally ran to the finish line of the race’s most iconic mountain, opportunity to streak clear and steal a few seconds on the demonstrating the single-minded determination that would guide him to his third Tour triumph seventh stage. But his progress was halted in stunning fashion as the inflatable archway indicating the final kilometre collapsed on him. A fan had accidentally dis- lodged a pin and the arch came crashing down, knocking Yates off his bike and leaving him with a bloody chin.”I’ve got stitches in my chin and my legs are sore but I got pretty lucky,” Yates said. Daring descent: Arguably the eighth stage was the one that set the tone for what was to follow as Froome demonstrated a never-before-seen dexterity. The renowned time-trialer and climber proved just as agile on a breakneck descent to the finish of the stage in Bagneres-de- Luchon. “It was when we went over the top of the mountain, I thought, ‘maybe I can make a dif- ference here’.I tried, it was incred- ible as I’d never won a stage like that,” said Froome. He attacked over the top of the final climb and while Nairo Quintana, his expected main rival, hesitated, Froome adopted an awkward, crouched position on his bike while pedalling furiously to snatch 23 seconds from his main challengers, winning the stage and claiming the yellow jersey that he would never relinquish. Taming the wind: Froome consolidated not only his lead in the race but his growing reputa- tion as the complete rider as he broke away alongside world champion Peter Sagan in the final 12km of the 11th stage. “All day my teammates protected me, right to the end of the stage. When I saw Sagan go away I thought, ‘I have to follow him and maybe together we can get there’,” said Froome. He predictably lost the sprint finish to Sagan but his mastery of the perilous crosswinds, helped by faithful lieutenant Geraint Thomas, allowed him to snare another 12 more seconds. AFP that would guide him again to victory. advantage, Froome and his Team Sky arrived at the Tour with title ambitions. him second only to Belgian great Eddy Running man: The image that Paris Live television pictures missed were in control. Froome himself was frequently Merckx, the fi ve-time Tour winner with the crash with a motorcycle in which Superior in descent and on the fl at, miff ed, questioning from one stage to 34 stages. Once Cavendish left the race will ensure this Tour lingers long Froome’s bike was broken, and cut from Froome then crushed all the rest on the another why his rivals hadn’t attacked to focus on the Olympics, Sagan, who in the memory is that of the t’s been far from a classic Tour de one shot to that of the yellow jersey run- 13th stage time-trial and took his gap out him. They never did, but instead the race would also be named most combative yellow-shirted and yellow-helm- France but the 2016 edition did pro- ning, alone through an imposing tunnel to minutes rather than seconds. for minor placings was fi erce, intense, rider of the Tour, had no competition. eted Froome running, bike-less, vide one of the most memorable mo- of boisterous fans, no bike to be seen any- At no time, a least whilst seated on his tight and fl uid. He fi nished with three stage victories to the finish line on the iconic ments in the race’s history. where and with pandemonium all around. bike, did he ever look fl ustered or in trou- Frenchman Roman Bardet took sec- while keeping the cycling world enter- Mont Ventoux. Pandemonium I Just like the 1978 strike, the tears of It’s the kind of incident that could ble. He had initially lost time and lost his ond ahead of a strangely satisfi ed Quin- tained with his video parodies of cult reigned in the final kilometre of Richard Virenque when kicked out of have made this one of the most spec- lead due to the Ventoux incident, but the tana but fi fth-placed Australian Richie classic fi lms, such as Grease, Rocky, For- the 12th stage as encroaching the 1998 Tour over the Festina aff air, tacular Tours of all time, along with the race jury decided external factors had Porte was only 1min 12sec off Bardet, and est Gump and Pulp Fiction. fans blocked the road to the or Lance Armstrong going off road on collapsing infl atable arch that knocked caused an unfair change to the standings he had lost 1:45 due to a late puncture on For the second time in three years, finish, forcing a photographer’s a dangerous mountain descent yet re- young Briton Adam Yates off his bike the and he was reinstated as leader. the second stage. Poland’s Rafal Majka won the polkadot motorbike to stop short. Richie maining upright, this year’s race pro- day before Froome’s own troubles. With Nairo Quintana out of sorts, The battles for the minor jerseys were king of the mountains jersey, but the only Porte crashed into the back of vided an image that will endure for years. Such photo-friendly moments dis- claiming an allergy was the reason, and no less predictable than the yellow one. man to try to challenge him was Thomas it, with Froome and Bauke Molle- It was Chris Froome, the reigning guised to a certain extent the lack of ac- Alberto Contador quitting the race dur- World champion Peter Sagan won a De Gendt, who’s not even a climber. ma following suit. “I heard on the champion and race leader, who would tion on the roads, at least when in came ing the ninth stage after illness weak- fi fth straight green jersey, showing he Yates won the white young rider’s jersey radio our car was a long way go on to win a third title, clad from head to the important prizes. ened him having also been diminished by need not be able to beat pure sprinters in but even then, on the last stage at which back, there was just a kilometre to toe in yellow and on foot, sensation- Froome was more dominant than in crashes on the fi rst two days, Froome had a dash to the line to dominate the jersey time gaps could be made, he preferred to to go, I thought: ‘I’ve got to keep ally running to the fi nish line of the race’s his previous two Tour successes. no true rivals. designed for them. protect his two minute white jersey ad- going forward’,” said Froome. most iconic mountain, Mont Ventoux. Ever since taking time from his rivals It left young Briton Yates and the unh- Mark Cavendish demonstrated a re- vantage over South African Louis Meintjes His bike was broken but not his The race won’t live long in memories, on an audacious downhill attack on stage eralded Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands markable return to form, winning four rather than try to make up the 21sec that champion’s spirit. He simply set but that moment will, as Froome demon- eight, before riding the windy 11th stage as Froome’s closest two competitors for stages and taking his total to 30, surpass- separated him from a podium fi nish. It off on foot until a replacement strated the single-minded determination better than the rest to further extend his the largest part of he race, and neither had ing the 27 of Bernard Hinault and leaving rather summed up this year’s Tour. bike could be proff ered. And again, he increased his lead. Geraint’s bicycle: A rare mo- BOTTOMLINE ment of drama for Froome, po- tentially more penalising than his fall on Ventoux. Froome hit the deck again, this time on a slippery descent as rain fell on the 19th stage. But again he Tour in bag, Froome focuses on Olympics didn’t panic, and Thomas came to his aid, handing over his AFP Kenyan-born athlete. we’re bringing the yellow jersey, it will bicycle for Froome to ride the fi- Paris “It’s going to be an extremely be a massive honour to engage with the nal 25km to the finish, bloodied tough event. I took bronze at the last British fans, which I haven’t been able and bruised. Olympics in London. It would be ab- to do the last couple of years, before go- o sooner had Chris Froome solutely incredible to medal again this ing over to Rio.” Last 10 winners wrapped up a third Tour de year,” he added. Other than the Games, though, 2016: Chris Froome (GBR) France after three weeks on the Before then, Froome will be on a Froome said there is no point expecting 2015: Chris Froome (GBR) road covering 3,500km, than charm off ensive in his homeland. He him to start branching out from his spe- 2014: Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) hisN thoughts turned to Olympic gold. may be by far his country’s most suc- cialities as the Tour remains for him the 2013: Chris Froome (GBR) Four years ago, when Froome was a cessful professional cyclist, but he has be all and end all. 2012: Bradley Wiggins (GBR) super-domestique at Team Sky, his team never even won a medal at the national While he said he may race the Vuelta 2011: Cadel Evans (AUS) leader Bradley Wiggins followed up Tour championships. In fact he rarely even a Espana after the Olympics, he is not 2010: Andy Schleck (LUX) * glory with Olympic success. Wiggins competes in that or the Tour of Britain. going to target one-day classics or even 2009: Alberto Contador (ESP) went on to be recognised in his home But before heading to Rio, he intends the Giro d’Italia. 2008: Carlos Sastre (ESP) country as the sportsman of the year. to take part in the three-day Ride Lon- “My focus defi nitely is on the Tour 2007: Alberto Contador (ESP) Froome, whom many believe could don at the end of the month. de France given it’s just such a special have won that 2012 Tour had he not been “I’m looking forward to a bit of re- race,” he said. “It would be my dream Most victories riding for, rather than against, Wiggins covery after this race,” said Froome, to keep coming back to defend it for the 5 — Jacques Anquetil (FRA, has never enjoyed the same place in the whose only one-day race result was next fi ve, six years if I can. 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964); British fans’ aff ections as his maverick bronze at the All Africa Games in 2007 “To be on the start line to give it my Eddie Merckx (BEL, 1969, 1970, compatriot. when he was still riding for Kenya. best shot if I have the opportunity to 1971, 1972, 1974); Bernard Hina- But should he add Olympic time-tri- “It looks like next weekend I’m going fi ght for victory again. ult (FRA, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, al gold, as Wiggins did, to his three Tour to Ride London on Sunday as a one-day “I’ve won it three times and I can cat- 1985); Miguel Indurain (ESP, titles, he would have a strong argument race before we fl y as a team to Rio,” he egorically say the novelty is not wearing 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995) to be considered the better of the two — said. “The last few years, I haven’t done off . It’s such an incredible feeling. It’s and Britain’s greatest cyclist of all. much racing in the UK. Time-wise it such an amazing event, it’s the biggest 3 — Philippe Thys (BEL, 1913, And now Rio is what dominates his didn’t work out. event on the calendar. 1914, 1920); Louison Bobet thoughts. “Yes, I’m hoping to do the “The Tour of Britain confl icted with “To be here in the yellow jersey and (FRA, 1953, 1954, 1955); Greg time-trial at the Olympics. I think it’s the Vuelta, the national championships taking it to the Arc (de Triomphe) is LeMond (USA, 1986, 1989, a course that suits me well, with almost confl icted with my training for the Tour. every cyclist’s dream. It’s the biggest 1990); Chris Froome (GBR, 1,000-metres of climbing and almost This seems like the perfect opportunity one in our sport and I hope I can be back 2013, 2015, 2016) 60km in length,” said the 31-year-old to go over to London. And especially if next year and fi ghting for it again.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, July 26, 2016 SPORT picture perfect

Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq leaves the wicket after losing his wicket for 35 runs on the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at the Old Traff ord Cricket Ground in India captain Virat Kohli walks off the field after day four of the cricket test match between West Indies and India at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St John’s, Antigua, on Sunday. Manchester.

Tour de France winner Great Britain’s Christopher Froome (L) wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, shakes hands with Great Britain’s Adam Yates (2nd L), while Slovakia’s Peter Sagan (2nd R), greets Poland’s Rafal Majka England’s James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Azhar Ali. (R) as they celebrate on the podium on the Champs-Elysees avenue on Sunday.

French judoka Teddy Riner, named France’s flag-bearer for Rio 2016 Olympics, waves a French national flag on the podium on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Sunday.

Justin Rose of England talks to Dustin Johnson of the United States on the putting green during a practice round prior to the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. Rebecca James of Team GB in action at a training session in Wales yesterday.

Abigail Spears (left) and Raquel Atawo pose with their trophies after winning the final against Darija Jurak and Anastasia Rodionova during day seven of the Bank of the West Classic at the Stanford University Taube Family Tennis Stadium in Stanford, California. Spectators hold up a sign as Pakistan bat on the fourth day of the Spears and Atawo defeated Jurak and Rodionova in the final 6-3, 6-4. Manchester United squad, led by manager Jose Mourinho, leave their team hotel in Beijing yesterday. second Test against England. Gulf Times Tuesday, July 26, 2016 11 ROAD TO RIO

SWIMMING SPOTLIGHT Syria’s fi rst table McEvoy aiming to tennis Olympian looking beyond test boundaries in Rio Games

Reuters Sahakian), who won the gold in Damascus the West Asian Championship that qualifi ed her for the Olym- pics, I can win. It will be diffi cult water and space eenager Heba Allejji, when I face players from China Syria’s fi rst Olympic and South Korea.” table-tennis player, says A number of former Syrian ta- The 22-year-old leads a strong Australian cohort of gold medal contenders she wants to show that ble-tennis players have emerged theT sport is alive and well in her among the refugees that have country despite the civil war that fl ed the war-torn country. They AFP is driving many fellow players include national player Tesnim Sydney abroad. The 19-year-old, ranked Nebhen, who is waiting to obtain 667 in the world, was awarded a Turkish citizenship, according to spot by the International Olym- Turkish publication Daily Sabah. ustralia’s Cameron McEvoy pic committee under the tripar- Allejji said she used to train in heads to the Rio Olympics as tite category, which is available China and would travel abroad the world’s leading 100 metres to countries that had an average regularly for camps, but she had freestyle swimmer and ready to of fewer than eight athletes at to stop two years ago when the “pushA the boundaries of human achieve- the past two Games. cost got too high. She said the ment” in the event. “Syria has a lot of people Syrian authorities would pro- The physics student and aspiring as- playing table tennis (but) the vide equipment — which has tronaut laid down a marker at the na- number who stay is so little,” she often been hard to come by — tional selection trials in April with the told Reuters by phone yesterday ahead of the Games, and a team year’s best time of 47.04 seconds, almost from government-held central of seven athletes would compete a second quicker than his nearest rival. Damascus, where she trains and in swimming, athletics, weight- McEvoy told AFP in an interview that a pursues her pharmacy studies. lifting and judo. 46sec 100m is defi nitely possible during She began playing table tennis Allejji said she was already his career. a decade ago and was spotted by looking beyond Rio to the 2020 His April time was also the third-fast- a coach after her brother brought Tokyo Olympics, and having est 100m time in history, bettered only by her to play at a centre close to participated in competitions in Brazil’s Cesar Cielo and Frenchman Alain their home. Originally from the Hong Kong, Qatar and Malay- Bernard in the now-banned “supersuits” province of Hasaka, she moved sia, hopes to continue to be in of 2008-09. McEvoy, 22, leads a strong to Damascus after conditions the spotlight beyond this year’s Australian cohort of gold medal contend- became ‘inappropriate’. games. ers in Cate Campbell, Mitch Larkin, Mack “The most important thing for “When players from Syria do Horton and the sprint relay teams vying me is to show a superb level and not have a grant or the necessary to challenge the United States for su- to represent my country well. I attention from the state, they go premacy in the Rio pool. want to confi rm that we are still back home,” she said. “They re- He is also bidding to become the able to play and train in Syria,” ceive calls for training only one fi rst Australian Olympic 100m free- she said. “If I face players such month before any tournament. I style champion in almost 50 years since as the Lebanese player (Mariana don’t want to face this fate.” Michael Wenden at Mexico City in 1968. Known as ‘The Professor’, McEvoy is the fi gurehead of an Australian team chasing gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle and three relay events, but it is the blue riband 100m which fi xates national attention. The Aussie, who is as conversant with gravitational waves as he is about swim- ming, is working towards his goal of a 46-second swim. It may not come in Rio, but his progress has been astronomical. “It’s defi nitely a possibility at some point in my career,” he told AFP. “Given the short period of time it will probably be diffi cult to improve between the national trials and Rio. If I do get im- provement I’m guessing it will be down to Australia’s Cameron McEvoy, a physics student and aspiring astronaut laid down a marker at the national selection trials in April the minor things that I’ve improved on, with the year’s best time of 47.04 seconds in 100 metres, almost a second quicker than his nearest rival. (AFP) that is the start, turns, body position in the last 10-15 metres of the race might get doesn’t require some sort of superhuman conceded. “I guess with many people it’s really well with the vision of what I want me a one percent improvement.” freak to come along to do a time like that. a dream but I also have many other things to get done in some part of my life,” said McEvoy is reluctant to predict a time I like that idea,” he said. I want to do with my life. I want to go McEvoy, who sported an image of gravi- for Rio, adding that “at any Olympic McEvoy is a refreshingly diff erent down the research road and spend my life tational waves on his black swimming Games the 100m fi nal is generally not sporting character, given his scientifi c in physics learning as much as I can about cap at the national trials. “That is going won in the fastest time swum that year”. bent and a determination to share his it and trying to bridge the gap between to schools and trying to integrate sci- But he believes he has it in him to push curiosity of the universe with the gen- science and the general public.” ence into public schools around Australia the “boundaries of human achievement eral public. He’s always wanted to be an Melbourne’s Swinburne University and talk about astrophysics, cosmol- for the 100m freestyle”. astronaut, although his future may lie in has already invited McEvoy to become an ogy, space and gravitational waves. I just “I am nudging that goal and I am try- earthly pursuits. “I have said that I would advisory board member in its proposed want to show the kids that you don’t have ing to expand that as much as I can just like to be an astronaut if the opportunity new Centre of Excellence for Gravita- to pigeon-hole yourself into an athletic to show the swimming community that arose, but being an Australian I don’t tional Wave Discovery, a prospect that pathway or an academic pathway, but The 19-year-old Heba Allejji is originally from the province of Hasaka it’s not impossible to do that or that it think that possibility is going to arise,” he excites the young swimmer. “That works that you can do both.” but moved to Damascus after conditions became ‘inappropriate’.

REFUGEES PRIMED FOCUS TO PUMP UP GAMES FEEL-GOOD FACTOR New Zealand satisfi ed with Games

Berlin: When record Olympic home, no team, no flag, no champion Michael Phelps national anthem. We will off er and the king of sprinting them a home in the Olympic Usain Bolt resume their hunt Village together with all the Village aft er remedial work for world records and gold athletes of the world,” IOC medals at the Rio de Janeiro President Bach said. Reuters than 3,600 apartments over the Olympics next month they “The Olympic anthem will Rio de Janeiro Aug. 5-21 Olympics and Sept. will not be the only big stories be played in their honour 7-18 Paralympics. Organisers in town. and the Olympic flag will have conceded there have been A team of refugees, hand- lead them into the Olympic ew Zealand’s Olympic “teething troubles” and prom- picked by the International Stadium. This will be a symbol team said they were ised that crews would be “work- Olympic Committee (IOC), of hope for all the refugees satisfi ed with their ac- ing 24 hours a day until the is- is expected to hog the in our world, and will make commodation for the sues are resolved”. NRio de Janeiro Games on Sunday, Australia’s Chiller cited prob- spotlight from the very first the world better aware of the day when they march as an magnitude of this crisis.” despite their trans-Tasman Sea lems including “blocked toilets, independent team into the The athletes, six men and neighbours Australia refusing to leaking pipes and exposed wir- Olympic stadium just before four women, will compete in move in. The Australian Olym- ing.” Some apartments had wa- hosts Brazil at the opening the sports of swimming, judo pic team have declined to take ter running down the walls and ceremony on Aug 5. The IOC and athletics. They include up their apartments in the vil- “a strong smell of gas,” while in June unveiled its first team swimmer Yusra Mardini from lage with Chef de Mission Kitty stairwells were unlit and fl oors of refugees which will have Syria who trains in Germany, Chiller saying the accommoda- were in need of a thorough clean. 10 members and 12 off icials South Sudanese middle- tion was ‘not safe or ready’. The Australians are hoping to and will compete under the distance runner Rose Nathike The Italian team also said move athletes into the village to- Olympic flag, as part of its de- Lokonyen, living in a refugee some areas of the village were morrow. cision to highlight the plight camp in Kenya, and Demo- not ready and that they had been London Olympics rowing of refugees worldwide. cratic Republic of Congo ju- forced to hire workmen to carry champion Mahe Drysdale was More than a million refu- doka Yolande Bukasa Mabika out emergency repairs. the fi rst New Zealand athlete to gees streamed into Europe who trains in Brazil. “I want The New Zealand Chef de arrive in the village on Sunday in the past year alone as they all refugees to be proud of Mission Rob Waddell said, how- and declared himself pleased fled fighting in Syria and me, I want to encourage them ever, he was happy with the ac- with the standard of accommo- other countries. Millions more that even if we are not in our commodation, even if the ad- dation. are housed in camps in coun- homeland and had a tough vance team had needed to work “We are in Rio! Already taken tries across the world, having way that we can still do great with organisers to get it up to Dancers rehearsal to welcome the athletes at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro. (AFP) ownership of the Village being escaped dozens of wars or things,” Mardini said. An initial standard. the very fi rst Athlete from any armed conflicts in their home 43 potential candidates were Waddell and his 10-strong Olympics rowing champion said. nati said some parts of the vil- few days so that the athletes’ ac- country to arrive and get through nations. The Refugee Olympic identified with final selection advance party arrived in Rio last “Our team has had to get stuck lage were not ready to host ath- commodation can be brought up the gates!” Drysdale wrote on his Team (ROT) includes five ath- of the 10 based on consulta- week and also found plumb- in to get the job done. We’re letes when it opened for business to normal conditions as soon as Instagram account. letes from South Sudan, two tion with their host National ing and electrical issues, but pleased to say that thanks to the on Sunday. “Among the unfi n- possible,” the Chef de Mission “All is good, few fi nishing from Syria, two from Demo- Olympic Committees (NOCs), managed to fi x them in time. New Zealand team’s planning, ished areas are a few apartments said in a statement. touches still to be made but cratic Republic of Congo and international federations, the “We were disappointed the vil- strong relationships and a bit of in block 20, the one to be used The newly-built village will when you arrive at 5am on open- one from Ethiopia. UNHCR and the NOCs of their lage wasn’t as ready as it might hard work were ready for the fi rst by Italy, and we have had to hire host more than 18,000 ath- ing day you can’t expect it to be “These refugees have no countries of origin. have been when we arrived and athletes to arrive.” labourers, electricians, plumb- letes, offi cials, staff and volun- perfect. Next stop the Rowing it hasn’t been easy,” the Sydney Italy’s team leader Carlo Mor- ers and bricklayers over the last teers in 31 buildings and more Venue.” Tuesday, July 26, 2016 GULF TIMES ROAD TO RIO

SPOTLIGHT Relief and outrage aft er IOC ‘passes buck’ on Russia ICO has said it was up to each international sports federation to decide if Russians could take part in Rio

AFP Moscow Seven Russian swimmers, including Whistleblower Stepanova four-times breaststroke world champion ussia breathed a sigh of relief Yulia Efimova, are ineligible to compete asks for review on Rio ban after the IOC declined to im- in the Rio olympics, world swimming's pose a blanket ban on its com- governing body said yesterday. (AFP) Whistleblower Yulia Stepanova, who petitors at the Rio Games over helped uncover the biggest doping state-runR doping, but the decision met scandal in decades which threatened fi erce criticism elsewhere with Olym- to exclude Russia from the Olympics, pic chiefs branded ‘spineless’. asked yesterday for a review of her In one of the most momentous ban from the Rio Games in a last-ditch moves in its long, chequered history, attempt to compete there. the International Olympic Committee Stepanova’s hopes of running in Rio said on Sunday it was up to each inter- next month as an independent athlete national sports federation to decide if where dashed when the International Russians could take part in Rio. Olympic Committee ruled on Sunday Swimming’s world governing body that no Russian with a doping back- FINA yesterday announced a ban on ground could take part. In a statement seven Russian swimmers from com- issued by Stepanova and her husband peting in Rio, making it the fi rst inter- Vitaly, however, they said they had national federation to impose sanc- written to the IOC asking for a review, tions in light of Sunday’s IOC decision. 10 days before the start of the Games Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobint- in the Brazilian metropolis. sev, both 4x100m freestyle bronze- “The (IOC) decision is unfair as medal winners with the Russian team at based on wrong and untrue state- the 2012 Olympics, and Yulia Efi mova, ments,” they said. The world athletics another 2012 Olympic bronze medal- federation (IAAF) had praised her list, were among the seven banned. contribution to the fight against dop- Four-times breaststroke world ing and cleared her to compete as a broadcaster ARD documentaries, champion Efi mova's agent said she neutral athlete. has fled Russia and is living in hiding will appeal to the Court of Arbitration The IOC invited the middle-distance at an undisclosed location in North for Sport. "We've taken the decision to runner and her husband to attend America, fearing for her safety. The appeal to CAS. The opponent will be next month’s Games as guests but IOC said any Russian athlete with a the International olympic Committee, denied her a competitive spot in Rio, doping past, including Stepanova, FINA and the Russian olympic Com- arguing her doping-tainted past made would not be allowed to compete in mittee," Efi mova's agent Andrei Mitkov her ineligible. The IOC had also said Rio as it tightened controls following told R-Sport. Stepanova had refused to compete as the fallout from the doping scandal Efi mova, who trains with the Univer- a member of the Russian team, a claim involving their country. sity of Southern California in Los An- she rejects. Stepanova said the decision went geles, was disqualifi ed from competing “Yulia made it absolutely clear that against rulings of the Court of Arbitra- by FINA between October, 2013 and this was not based on her wish to tion for Sport (CAS) which had struck February, 2015 after testing positive for not compete under the Russian flag, down part of the Olympic Charter traces of the anabolic steroid DHEA. but rather on the hostile treatment blocking sanctioned athletes from The 2012 olympic bronze medallist, and threats she had received since future Games, known as the ‘Osaka in the 200m breaststroke, returned December 2014 up to yesterday,” the rule’. In making its decision, CAS had from her ban last year and won 100m pair said. argued there could not be a double gold at the world championships in Ka- Stepanova, who provided evidence punishment for already-sanctioned zan, Russia, in August as well as a 50m of doping in a series of German athletes. bronze. The 24-year-old also tested positive for Meldonium this year but FINA dropped charges against her ear- British condemnation. “IOC has passed extremely diffi cult decision and had to lier in July and said she was free to com- the buck — pure and simple,” wrote the ‘fi nd the balance between the overall pete. The possibility of Efi mova com- 45-year-old Pinsent in The Times. responsibility (of Russia) and the rights peting in the Rio olympics was already Defending Olympic long jump cham- of each individual athlete’. a major talking point in the sport. pion Greg Rutherford also weighed in. “The decision will certainly not ap- Lithuania's olympic 100 metres “(The IOC’s decision) is a spineless peal to everyone, but it comes down to breaststroke champion Ruta Meilutyte attempt to appear as the nice guy to justice,” Bach said in the immediate af- said last year, after being beaten by Efi - both sides,” the 29-year-old told the termath on Sunday. The focus will now mova at the world championships, that Guardian newspaper. be on the Olympic sports to let in Rus- she could not see the Russian as 'a true The Australian government warned sians who they believe are drug-free. honest competitor any more'. cluding Rio, and sparked calls led by the for the same thing,” Svishchev said. fore Rio — to hit Russia with the hardest that a ‘suspicion of compromised in- Zhukov said that weightlifters Anas- Other international federations now World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Russia’s gymnastics team — the sanctions possible to punish state-run tegrity’ now hung over the Games and tasia Romanova and Tatiana Kashirina face a race against the clock with the for all Russians to be barred until they fi rst group of Russian athletes to arrive doping that was laid bare in a WADA- New Zealand’s anti-doping body la- — who won silver at the 2012 Games — opening ceremony only 11 days away, cleaned up. in Rio — are already training in Bra- commissioned report a week ago by Ca- mented ‘a black day for clean athletes’. and freestyle wrestler Viktor Lebedev global sport sharply divided and some Dmitry Svishchev, who heads the zil, coach Valentina Rodionenko told nadian law professor Richard McLaren. That came after WADA president would not compete in Rio in light of Russian competitors already in Brazil. lower house of Russian parliament’s R-Sport news agency, saying that ‘the It revealed wide-ranging Russian Craig Reedie said: “The McLaren report the IOC’s criteria. The World Archery Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sports and physical culture committee, worst is behind us’. doping in Olympic events from 2011 exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a Federation declared that three Rus- called the IOC decision ‘positive’. told AFP the IOC decision was ‘not bad’. Most Russian competitors will fl y and including the Sochi Games in 2014, state-run doping programme in Russia sians who had never tested positive for “We welcome the main decision, But he railed against the fact that Rus- out on Thursday, R-Sport reported, al- where the secret service used a hole that seriously undermines the princi- banned substances would be allowed to which allows so-called clean athletes to sian athletes who served doping bans though it remains to be seen how many drilled in a wall to swap the dirty sam- ples of clean sport embodied within the compete. Russia’s fencing and pentath- take part in the Olympic Games,” Pesk- in the past would be barred from Rio will actually take part in the Games. ples of doping competitors for clean World Anti-Doping Code.” US anti- lon federations have expressed con- ov told reporters. Russian sport and under the new IOC criteria, especially Russia’s reaction was in stark con- ones, under the noses of international doping chiefs blasted the IOC for cre- fi dence that Russian athletes in their the Kremlin have been rocked by dop- when drug cheats from other countries trast to much of the rest of the world. observers. ating ‘a confusing mess’. respective sports will also take part, but ing scandals that saw its track and fi eld who had served their suspensions were Olympic chiefs had been under pres- Four-time Olympic rowing champi- Thomas Bach, the IOC president, were still awaiting offi cial confi rmation team banned from competition, in- allowed to go. “You can’t punish twice sure — and with time running out be- on Matthew Pinsent led a cacophony of said the Olympic body had faced an from the respective federations.

FOCUS RISING STAR India wrestler Yadav says foul Japan schoolgirl swimmer play behind failed dope test set to melt hearts in Rio

Reuters sought a court order for a bout between the AFP Rio in peak condition.” Mumbai pair to determine who should go to Rio. Tokyo Ikee won legions of admirers Last month, the Delhi High Court ruled for sobbing uncontrollably at the against Kumar, the only Indian athlete to national trials, lifting Japanese ndia’s NARSINGH YADAV has win two individual Olympic medals, clear- apanese schoolgirl fans after swim king Kosuke Ki- claimed his supplements and water ing the way for Yadav to compete in Rio. RIKAKO IKEE, who tajima had failed to qualify, sig- had been ‘sabotaged’ after the wrestler, The qualifi cation row divided opinion in the melted the hearts of a na- nalling the end of his storied ca- due to represent his country in the 74kg country and Yadav was provided police se- tion when she burst into reer. “I don’t know if I’ll be in the Icategory at next month’s Rio Games, tested curity, a rare measure for an Indian athlete, tearsJ on qualifying for the Olym- position in Rio to feel that happy positive for a banned steroid. at the Sports Authority of India training pics, is set to make a big splash in or not,” Ikee told AFP. The 26-year-old’s samples from an out- centre at Sonepat due to possible threats to Rio. Having just turned 16, the “I can’t imagine yet what it of-competition test returned positive and his life. butterfl y and freestyle special- will be like there. But as long as I the wrestler attended a hearing to present The Wrestling Federation of India has also ist will compete in seven events can perform to my full potential his case before an anti-doping disciplinary not dismissed the possibility of the failed at next month’s Olympics after and set personal bests, I’ll be able panel on Saturday. The panel has asked the test coming as a result of subversion, ac- bursting onto the scene at last 100m and 200m freestyle along to give myself a pat on the back,” national anti-doping agency (NADA) for cording to local media. “I believe that there year’s junior worlds in Singapore with the 100m butterfl y and all she added. “Even if you’re the further details on the case and is expected to is foul play involved in this entire episode,” by completing a double in the 50 three relays in Brazil. “I’m grad- top swimmer in Japan it doesn’t return a verdict within a week. said Yadav, who won gold at the 2010 Com- and 100 metres butterfl y. ually getting to feel ready for the guarantee you getting into the Yadav, who secured India a berth at the monwealth Games in Delhi. “Someone has Ikee backed that up by becom- Olympics.” world’s top 10 so hopefully I can Games by winning a bronze medal at last sabotaged my food supplements and water ing the fi rst Japanese woman to Kyoko Iwasaki famously be- make the fi nals (in Rio) and take year’s world championships in Las Vegas, intake. I am a responsible athlete with an break the 54-second barrier in came an overnight media dar- it from there.” said he had undergone around 25-30 drugs understanding of the country’s expecta- the 100m freestyle earlier this ling in Japan after the pint-sized Japan will be hoping for a tests in his 15-year career as a professional tions and hopes on me. I would never dream year before her emotions bub- breaststroker won gold at the strong showing from its swim- freestyle wrestler. “I have come out clean of betraying that hope.” bled over at the national champi- 1992 Barcelona Games six days mers in Rio, led by Kosuke Hagi- every time and never have any of my sam- NADA Director General Navin Agarwal onships, which doubled up as the after her 14th birthday. Asked no, a gold medal contender in the ples returned positive results,” he said in a confi rmed that the wrestler’s roommate country’s Olympic trials. about her own whirlwind rise to men’s 200m and 400m individu- statement. and training partner, Sandeep Yadav, has The Tokyo native, who has fame, Ikee insisted she was close al medley and a decent tip for the “I have undergone three tests in the last also tested positive for the same substance, been tearing up records for fun to top form after suff ering some- podium in the 200m freestyle. month and a half. I appeared for a dope test which Indian media has reported to be the over the past year, added the fi nal thing of a let-down after sealing On the women’s side, world on the second of June before leaving for a banned anabolic steroid methandienone. touches to her Rio preparations qualifi cation for the Olympics. champion Kanako Watanabe will training camp in Bulgaria. I was again tested “The foul play allegations are out of our by setting a new Japanese best “I felt a bit tired after qualify- be a threat in the 200m breast- on my return on the 25th of June and once ardy when Sushil Kumar, who won bronze jurisdiction,” Agarwal told Reuters by tel- in the 50m fl y last weekend. “I ing,” she told reporters. “But my stroke, although she could be again on the fi fth of July.” in the 66kg category in Beijing in 2008 and ephone. “It’s for the local police to investi- really wanted that record,” said times have started creeping back pushed hard by teammate Rie Yadav’s Olympic berth was put in jeop- silver in London, moved up a weight and gate. Ikee, who will swim the 50m, up. I want to make sure I get to Kaneto.