Skipper Kohli hails ‘super-human’ De Villiers after RCB’s massive IPL win TUESday, OCTOBER 13, 2020 page 15 Amir Cup Table Tennis: Qatar Sports Club triumph a third successive time Tribune News Network Doha

Qatar Sports Club (QSC) won their third successive HH The Amir Cup table tennis ti- tle scoring a 3-1 victory over Al Sadd in the finals played at the Abdullah Bin Suhaim Hall on Monday. The winners took home the trophy as well as a cash award of QR100,000, while runners-up Al Sadd received QR60,000. After the finals at the Qa- tar Sports Club, Khalil Al Mo- hannadi, President of the Qa- tar Table Tennis Association (QTTA), crowned the winners in the presence of HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, First Vice-President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdulaziz, Vice- President of Qatar Sports Club and other officials. Qatar Sports Club topped Group A and defeated Al Arabi in the semi-finals, while Al Sadd topped Group B and ousted Al Khor to reach the finals. On Monday, Al Sadd start- ed off with a victory in the first The Qatar Sports Club table tennis team with officials and others after winning the Amir Cup title on Monday. singles with their Chinese pro- fessional Chen Hao defeating Mohamed Abdelwahab Thani praised the Qatar Table Ahmed Khalil Al Mohannadi club’s management, headed Ahmed Khalil Al Mohannadi then accounted for Ahmed Tennis Association for organ- said Al Sadd were tough oppo- by HE Sheikh Hamad bin Su- Mohamed Abdelwahab exults as Qatar Sports Club won the finals 3-1 11-6, 11-8, 11-6. Muthanna 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, ising an excellent tournament nents and his team had to be haim Al Thani, who fully sup- against Al Sadd. But they could not build on 11-7 to put Qatar Sports Club and congratulated the winners. at their best to beat them for ported the team, and also to their lead as Qatar Sports Club 2-1 ahead. “The tournament was held the title. team head Khaled Al Kuwari Club saying they have proved ship so their success is not a leveled the scores with Slove- Tukic later completed the in a very professional manner “Our team proved its worth and members of the technical their mettle not only in Qatar great surprise,” he said. nian Bojan Tukic comfortably formalities, beating Chen Hao and the matches were also of for the third year in a row. We staff,” said Al Mohannadi. but also at the Arab level. “They are one of the best beating Walid Nasser 11-1, 11- 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9. great quality,” he said deserved the trophy and I ded- The QTTA President also “Qatar Sports Club have clubs as far as table tennis is 4, 11-2 in the second singles. HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Qatar Sports Club player icate this achievement to the congratulated Qatar Sports also won the Arab Champion- concerned in the Arab world.” Fans flock stadium as rugby Test match ends pandemic-lockdown in New Zealand Mo’unga says The southern hemi- sphere heavyweights Wallabies All Blacks (NZ) and ‘better’ side, Wallabies (Australia) Hodge haunted fought out a 16-16 by penalty miss draw in Wellington on Sunday, ending inter- AFP Wellington national rugby’s pandemic-enforced All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga conceded on Mon- shutdown with a Test day that the Wallabies were match hailed as an the better team in the drawn Bledisloe Cup opener over the instant classic. weekend, while Australia’s Reece Hodge lamented the missed penalty that cost his side victory. The southern hemisphere heavyweights fought out a 16-16 draw in Wellington on Sunday, ending international rugby’s pandemic-enforced shutdown with a Test match hailed as an instant classic. Fly-half Mo’unga was full of praise for the Wallabies, who entered the match as underdogs but came within the width of a goalpost of re- A general view of the Sky Stadium GV during the Bledisloe Cup rugby union match between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington on Sunday. (AFP) cording a major upset to mark new coach Dave Rennie’s first the ball never came his way. ticked past 80 minutes. “Obviously it was pretty He said Rennie’s men were relishing the prospect of facing match in charge. “I dropped into the pocket, The replacement wing’s swirly wind. In the warm-up full of belief and would be Australia at the venue. “I think they were a little but momentum had us and booming kick was easily long they (kicks) were going every- working hard to improve on the “I don’t know if I’m allowed bit better because they im- we looked likely to score, so a enough, but it thumped into where, left, right... I aimed it just result in the next Test at Auck- to say this, but it has always felt posed themselves on us a lit- drop kick wasn’t in the ques- the upright. inside the left post, just outside land’s Eden Park on Sunday. like our home ground,” he said. tle bit more,” Mo’unga told tion,” he said. “Had Jordie Mo’unga described the would have been a bit better. “There were a few momen- “There’s always been a lot of big reporters. (Barrett) had got the pass... kick attempt as “pretty awe- “But I hit it as well as I tum swings on the back of a Tests, so it’s got a lot of history.” “We didn’t have the ball we wouldn’t really be talking some” in Wellington’s swirl- could have and was kind of few errors from us in that at- Foster said the draw left much, and when we did we about drop kicks, but it defi- ing wind and rain, although praying when it was in the air.” tacking zone so I think that the All Blacks with “a flat gave it away.” nitely was on my mind.” Hodge admitted he was “beat- While pundits have will be a focus for us heading feeling” but also revived the Australia’s Lukhan Salakaia-Loto With the score level at Hodge, meanwhile, said he ing himself up” over the miss. praised the Wallabies for re- into next Sunday,” he said. Bledisloe rivalry, creating an (right) vies for the ball with New 16-16 after the final siren had hadn’t been able to sleep eas- “It was a bit of a broken storing Australian pride fol- “There’s a lot of good stuff atmosphere where both teams Zealand’s Ardie Savea during the sounded and the All Blacks ily Sunday night, haunted by sleep last might, I’ve probably lowing a difficult period for the to build on.” were keen to battle each other Bledisloe Cup rugby union Test on the attack, Mo’unga said the penalty from 55 metres out replayed it hundreds of times code both on and off the pitch, The Wallabies last won just as hard next week. match between New Zealand he positioned himself for a that would have sealed victory by now,” the Melbourne Re- Hodge said the players were at Eden Park in 1986 and All “It’s under way, full and Australia in Wellington on match-winning drop goal but for the Wallabies as the clock bels back said. disappointed with the draw. Blacks coach Ian Foster was steam,” he said. Sunday. (AFP) Sports Tuesday, October 13, 2020 13 LA Lakers capture 17th NBA title

Lakers fans stand in line to celebrate in front of a mural of Kobe Bry- ant and his daughter Gianna Bryant in , California, on Sun- day following ’ NBA triumph. (Getty Images/AFP) Kobe’s spirit lived on in Lakers’ drive to crown AFP “He said, ‘I’ll give you Orlando two, three years, you’ll fix this. You’ll get the Lakers ’s spirit could be back on top.’ felt by the Los Angeles Lakers Pelinka looked to the as they finished a run to the heavens and said, “I guess NBA title on Sunday, nine you were right, man. You months after Bryant’s death gave me the energy to do it.” in a helicopter crash. Davis received encour- The Lakers completed a agement from Bryant at championship run dedicat- games in the months before ed to the late LA legend by the tragedy. defeating 106-93 to “He would come to the The Los Angeles Lakers pose for a team photo with the trophy after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth capture the NBA Finals four game and just tell us, ‘This is Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) games to two in a quarantine y’all year. This is y’all year. Go bubble at Orlando, Florida. out and take it,’” Davis said. “Kobe, I know he’s look- “He had a lot of confidence Humble Miami Heat 106-93 for record-equalling championship title but their first in a decade ing down on us super proud,” in our team. He had a lot of Lakers star forward Anthony confidencein our organiza- half total as the Lakers took a Davis said. “We miss him, tion to go out there and win 64-36 lead into the break with and this is definitely for him.” it this year.” four players already scoring in Bryant, his 13-year-old Outside the Lakers’ home double figures. daughter Gianna and seven arena, the Staples was a perfect others were killed in the Jan- in Los Angeles, fans took to six-for-six from the floor in the uary 26 crash in suburban the streets chanting, “Kobe, first half as the Lakers built the Los Angeles, stunning the Kobe,” despite being urged to second-largest halftime lead in sports world to lose such a celebrate at home due to the NBA Finals history. gifted talent at age 41. Covid-19 pandemic. Rondo, who won a ti- “I think Kobe and Gianna tle with the Celtics in 2008, have guided this team the ‘Smiling down on us’ scored 19 points off the bench. entire year,” Lakers general The Lakers missed a chance Kentavious Caldwell-Pope manager said. to win the title in their special added 17, scored “Kobe’s voice is always in black “Mamba” jerseys made A woman waves a Lakers flag 11 and the Lakers pulled level my head, always, every day, in his honor with a loss in outside of her car in Los Angeles, with the for every ... for us to be game five Friday. California, on Sunday. (Getty/AFP) most titles all-time. able to win this championship “This was for Kobe re- The Heat, who had doesn’t take away the sting of gardless of what jersey we had AFP stunned the Lakers on Fri- the loss, but what it does is it on,” said the Lakers’ Markieff Orlando day on the back of Jimmy helps us add to their legacy. Morris. “We knew we had to Butler’s gritty triple-double, “Kobe and Gianna’s lega- do this for Kobe and Gigi and The Los Angeles Lakers, couldn’t produce another cy will last forever. It will im- the rest of the Laker Nation. fueled by superstar LeBron miracle in the face of Los An- pact lives around the world in This was a special one.” James’s triple-double, domi- geles’ stifling defence. positive ways, and this Lak- Lakers guard Rajon nated the Miami Heat 106-93 led the ers championship in 2020 is Rondo, who also won a title on Sunday to win a record- Lakers fans celebrate in front of the in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) Heat with 25 points and 10 partly to build on that legacy with Boston in 2008, joined equalling 17th NBA champion- rebounds and Butler and Jae and honor them. The mo- the Lakers in 2018 and was ship but their first in a decade. “It’s like playing for the when he arrived in Los Ange- emotional season for the Lak- Crowder added 12 apiece, but ment couldn’t be any more happy to have been able to James added another Yankees and winning or play- les in 2018 that he “wanted ers with the loss of talisman Miami simply had no answer special to do that for them.” learn from Bryant by playing chapter to an epic career, ing for the Cowboys and win- to put this franchise back Bryant but a season of uncer- for the knockout blow Los An- Bryant’s widow, Vanessa against him. delivering 28 points, 14 re- ning a Super Bowl, or the Pa- where it belongs.” tainty and upheaval for the geles delivered in the first half. Bryant, posted a congratula- “Winning for Kobe has bounds and 10 assists as he triots. It’s like playing for the , playing in NBA as players grappled with tions message on Instagram, been in my mind for a while,” captured his fourth NBA title Red Sox.” his first title series after years the coronavirus pandemic and Davis ‘over the hump’ saying: “Wish Kobe and Gigi Rondo said. “To be able to with a third team. James said the magni- of frustration in , the demands for social and James played his 260th play- were here to see this.” compete with Kobe, under- He earned NBA Finals tude of what he was trying to added 19 points and 15 re- racial justice sweeping across off game – surpassing Derek The Lakers captured their stand and learn so much from Most Valuable Player honors accomplish with the Lakers bounds as the Lakers complet- the United States. Fisher for the most all time. first NBA title since 2010, him by watching his film and for a fourth time, and said the kept his mind focused in the ed a four-games-to-two tri- The Lakers out-hus- He had signalled the Lak- when Bryant led them to the by studying him, it’s definite- accomplishment had a special NBA’s quarantine bubble in umph more than eight months tled, out-muscled and out- ers’ determination with nine last of his five career crowns. ly an honor. flavor with the Lakers. Orlando, Florida. after the helicopter crash that played Miami, making sure it first-quarter points. “There would be times in “And to come full circle to “This is a historic fran- “To be able to win with killed team legend Kobe Bry- wouldn’t come down to any The Lakers were devastat- my hotel room here -- when win in his honor, his daugh- chise and to be a part of this is a historical franchise is ant, who had led the Lakers to last-gasp effort as it did when ing in transition, none more so you’re in a bubble for 100 ter’s honor, unbelievable something that I’ll be able to something that, no matter if their last title in 2010. Los Angeles were denied in than James, who went coast- days, it’s tough -- there would season that we’ve had. And talk about and my grandkids your mind wavers away, you game five on Friday. to-coast for a basket at the rim be times in the middle of the to be able to prevail and stay and kids will be able to talk can always remember what Emotional season Los Angeles had blew with 6:21 left in the opening night, I would hear his voice: focused and continue to get about – their pawpaw played you’re doing it for,” said The series in the NBA’s quar- Game 6 open by halftime, period that boosted the Lak- ‘Stay the course. Finish the the job done, I know he’s def- for the Los Angeles Lakers,” James, recalling that he told antine bubble in Orlando, their 36 second-quarter points ers’ lead to 18-3 and brought task,’” said Pelinka. initely smiling down on us.” James said. Lakers president Florida, capped not only an equalling the Heat’s entire first the bench to its feet. LeBron improves case versus Jordan as all-time NBA best AFP reer after his father’s death. with 11, more than Jordan and seen in every statistical cate- Los Angeles Jordan’s game evolved James combined, in 13 seasons. gory. #GOAT let it be known!” over time, the high-leaping However, it was Jordan Thomas is hardly a neu- As the first player to lead three playmaker who could single- who took the NBA global by tral observer, the bad blood different teams to NBA titles, handedly dominate foes giving leading the 1992 Olympic between himself and Jordan LeBron James has revived way to a veteran who could get “Dream Team” to Barcelona clear to see in the Jordan doc- the question of whether he or the most from every teammate gold, with James respond- umentary “The Last Dance” is the league’s and help carry the load during ing to a sub-par bronze effort that became a global TV hit greatest-ever superstar. his second title trilogy. in 2004 by sparking US gold during the coronavirus shut- “I don’t know,” James said. Taking full advantage of medal runs in 2008 and 2012. down this year. “I’m going to let you guys talk the era of big money and free James is only the fourth Kendrick Perkins, a 2015 about it.” agency that Jordan largely player in history to reach 10 teammate of James in Cleve- James captured his fourth created, James maximized his career NBA Finals. Only Rus- land who won an NBA crown NBA title in his 10th finals money and turned multiple sell and teammate Sam Jones with Boston in 2008, cast his appearance when the Los An- teams into champions, his role have played more, but James vote in the debate with LeB- geles Lakers beat the Miami evolving over the years as did is only 4-6 in the finals. ron also. “My separator from Heat 106-93 on Sunday to his supporting cast. Does the purity of Jordan’s Bron and everybody else is close out the series 4-2. Where James is clearly 6-for-6 feat beat the longev- PRESSURE,” he tweeted. James was named the NBA king is off the court. His edu- ity and diversity of James’s “Goat expectations from day Finals Most Valuable Player cation initiatives and social success? Does it even matter? 1 at 18 years old, carry the city for the fourth time. The only activism are a far cry from Jor- Can’t each be king of his era? from day (1), comparisons to player with more finals MVP dan’s infamous comment that “The best and most ‘com- legends from day 1. All expec- awards is Jordan with six. “Republicans buy sneakers plete’ player I have seen in my tations EXCEEDED!” Jordan won six titles in too,” when asked why he was lifetime is @KingJames on James has won his latest six NBA Finals appearances not more politically active. and off the floor,” long-time title at 35, the same age when for the Bulls during If mere titles alone decided Jordan nemesis Isiah Thomas Jordan won his last crown. But the 1990s, taking most of two the greatest NBA player, domi- tweeted Thursday. “He passed James is just getting started seasons off between two three- nant 1960s Boston big man LeBron James reacts with his MVP trophy and Finals trophy at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide the eye test and the numbers with the Lakers. “This never peats to pursue a baseball ca- would own the tag World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) confirm what my eyes have gets old,” he said. 14 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 Sports What counts is victory, says peerless Nadal AFP make sacrifices to achieve the goal.” “After the confinement I didn’t watched with “sadness” as the virus Paris Nadal was just 19 when he first feel great, I trained very little for unfolded across the world. won at Roland Garros and quickly es- many weeks,” he said. “I am a sensitive person and when When Rafael Nadal beat the Argen- tablished himself as the King of Clay “I couldn’t train in the way I want- I see so much suffering, so many tinian Mariano Puerta in four sets to by winning four French titles in a row. ed, especially for the first two months deaths, so many people having a bad win his first major title at the French In 2009 he surprised everyone by after the confinement. time... I had a bad time,” he said. Open back in 2005, no one had any losing to Roger Soderling in the fourth “My body suffered a little from the “At one I stopped watching idea that it was the start of one of the round but returned the following year whole lockdown. The reality is that for the news because it made me so sad it most remarkable winning sequences to beat the Swede in the final and start bodies like mine with a lot of kilome- wasn’t healthy. I live with worry and in any sport. another winning run of 39 matches tres on the clock, a drastic stop makes now it seems that things are getting Since then, Nadal has won 100 and five titles. the return to normal work much more worse again. matches at Roland Garros and lost Djokovic beat him in 2015 and a complicated. “I hope this nightmare will be just two. His straight-sets domination year later he had to withdraw after “In my case, over as soon as possible and that peo- of Novak Djokovic on Sunday gave the second round with a wrist injury the body re- ple can go back to living in a more the Spaniard an extraordinary 13th but he was back on top in 2017 and sponded pleasant and happier world.” STANDING TALL French Open title. remains there still, as dominant as he badly for a As for what Nadal will be doing in IN PARIS: Aged 34 and a long-term sufferer was when he saw off Puerta all those few months another 15 years time, the Spaniard is Spaniard Rafael Nadal of knee tendinitis and a number of years ago. and little by loathe to commit. holds the Mousquetaires other ailments from foot to wrist to “What has changed is age,” he little things “I am not into making such long- Cup (The Musketeers) dur- shoulder, Nadal might be forgiven for laughs. “The only negative is that I am started to sort term plans. But I have a lot to do, with ing a photocall a day after packing it all in and taking life easy in 15 years older. themselves my foundation, the academy and oth- winning the men’s singles his native Majorca. “Everything else, the basic and out. They were er things that are about to start. title of The Roland Garros The bad news for his challengers, important things in my life, have not tough weeks.” “For the moment I’m playing ten- 2020 French Open tennis however, is that Nadal has no inten- changed much. Nadal ad- nis... we’ll see for how long.” tournament, in Paris, tion of walking away just yet, especial- “I still live practically in the same mits that he on Sunday. (AFP) ly as Sunday’s triumph brought him place, with the same friends and the level with Roger Federer’s record of reality is that my way of life when I am 20 Grand Slam titles. out of tournaments has changed rela- “Winning is what you play for,” tively little.” Nadal told AFP in a telephone inter- There is another negative, though, view on Monday. and that is the coronavirus pandemic. “In high-level competition, what With tennis in lockdown for several counts is victory. That is a reality. months, Nadal struggled to keep his “And beyond the victory, there is body and game in condition, prompt- an even greater personal satisfaction ing his decision to skip the rearranged because at certain times I have had to US Open to focus on Roland Garros.

Nadal’s Paris Age just a number for Rafa, Roger and Novak

afael Nadal’s 13th Nadal is the oldest Roland Federer is another source of record will never RFrench Open was hailed Garros champion since An- frustration for the young pre- as “one of sport’s greatest dres Gimeno in 1972. tenders who have constantly achievements” by close friend Djokovic, at 33, is the come up short. be beaten, and rival Roger Federer, but youngest of the three giants From Federer’s first Slam for tennis’s flagging chasing of the sport. Despite his loss triumph at Wimbledon in pack, it was another dagger in on Sunday, which cost him 2003, 57 of the 69 majors have predicts Murray the heart of their ambitions. the chance to become the first been won by the ‘’. Nadal, who has now gone man since Rod Laver in 1969 Only six finals have failed level with Federer on 20 ca- to win all four majors twice, to feature at least one of them. AFP round of the US Open in his reer Grand Slams, has won six he believes the 20-Slam mark The most recent even car- Cologne (Germany) first Slam since hip resurfac- since turning 30. can be bettered. ries an asterik as Dominic ing surgery and Roland Garros World number one No- “If I thought it was too late Thiem’s win over Alexander was his third tournament this vak Djokovic has captured I would have ended my career Zverev at the US Open last Andy Murray predicts Rafael year after rehab. five of his 17 since leaving today,” the world number one month came after Nadal and Nadal’s record of 13 French Having needed wildcards his 20s while even Federer, Rafael Nadal became the first man in the Open Era to win a Grand told Serbian media after his Federer opted not to play and Open titles will never be to play in Paris and Cologne, now 39, claimed four after Slam 15 years after their first one! seventh loss in eight meetings Djokovic was defaulted. beaten as the British Murray hopes the his 30th birthday. with Nadal in Paris. Until Sunday, that was former world number back-to-back ATP in- They are statistics which greatest Slam winner. a better phone. In terms of “Myself, Nadal, Federer Djokovic’s only loss of 2020 one looks to bounce door tournaments on illustrate even more starkly “I would love to finish my these records, of course I care. have been written off many compared to 37 wins. back in Cologne this the Rhine can help how big the gap remains be- career being the player with For me it means a lot to share times but we keep coming Greek world number six week from his own improve his current tween the sport’s ‘Big Three’ more Grand Slams,” he said this number with Roger. back and proving that we are Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost Roland Garros disap- ranking of 97th. and the rest. after winning his 100th match “But let’s see what’s going still the best in the world.” in five sets to Djokovic in the pointment. “It will be good to Nadal’s staggering 6-0, at Roland Garros against just on when we finish our careers. “My goals remain the same - semi-finals at RolandGarros, Murray, 33, the get a few matches in 6-2, 7-5 win over Djokovic in two losses in 15 years. We keep playing. I don’t know the historic number one rank- believes there will be a chang- reigning Olympic Andy Murray over these next few the Roland Garros final al- “But I’m not going to be what can happen in the fu- ing and Grand Slam titles.” ing of the guard. champion, crashed out weeks - I hope to per- lowed him to join the Serb in thinking all the time Novak ture.” - Iron grip of ‘Big Three’ Djokovic will start his 289th However, the 22-year-old of last month’s French Open form better than I did in Par- winning majors in three dif- has this one, Roger is winning -Federer, who missed the US week as world number one was conservative on the time- in straight sets with a lop-sid- is,” said the Scot. ferent decades. the other one. Open and Roland Garros to on Monday with Federer’s all- frame. ed first round defeat to Stan “I want to win tourna- The 34-year-old Span- “You can’t be always un- recover from knee surgery, time high of 310 comfortably “The big three have been Wawrinka as he works his way ments and move up the rank- iard insists that he won’t happy because your neigh- believes that he and Nadal in his sights. there for a long time. I don’t back from hip surgery. ings. become obsessed with end- bour has a bigger house than have “pushed each other to The iron-grip on the feel like it’s going to be the On Sunday, the Scot “Physically, my body tends ing his career as the all-time you or a bigger boat or has become better players”. Slams of Nadal, Djokovic and same — in five, six years.” watched in awe as Nadal, 34, to feel better the more I play. demolished Novak Djokovic “Hopefully, I will play a lot 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in the final at over the next two weeks, per- Roland Garos to win his 13th form well and see how it goes French Open title. after that.” Dortmund ‘wunderkind’ in line to make Champions League history The Spaniard has also On Tuesday, Murray pre- equalled the all-time record of dicts a “tough” start against AFP However, he will be on old scored a hat-trick in his 20 Grand Slam titles held by Spain’s Fernando Verdasco for Berlin their ‘B’ list, which according first Under-19 game and has Roger Federer, who hailed Na- the chance to play world num- to UEFA regulations means already trained with Dort- dal’s victory as “one of sport’s ber seven Alexander Zverev in Borussia Dortmund’s Yous- a 16-year-old can play, pro- mund’s senior squad. greatest achievements”. the second round. soufa Moukoko, who turns 16 vided he has been at the club He also made his debut Murray echoed the Swiss “Whoever gets through will on November 20, could make for at least two years and in September for the German legend and doubts anyone will face Sascha (Zverev) and he is Champions League history Moukoko joined Dortmund U20 national team. even get close to Nadal’s re- obviously one of the top play- next month by becoming the in 2016. However, Sebastian Kehl, cord in Paris. ers in the world,” said Murray. competition’s youngest player He will turn 16 four days head of Dortmund’s player “It’s an amazing achieve- The Scot says he has had to ever. before Dortmund host Brugge department, told AFP subsidi- ment. I don’t think that what adapt after hip surgery. Dortmund’s sports direc- in the group stages on Novem- ary SID that the club is keen to he has done at Roland Garros “It has gone well at times tor Michael Zorc told German ber 24, when he could become dampen the hype around their will ever be beaten. I just don’t and sometimes been a strug- daily Bild “we will enter him on the youngest player in Cham- ‘wunderkind’. see it being topped,” Murray gle,” he admitted. the B list” for the group stages pions League history. Making his professional said in Cologne. “I was told it would be an of the Champions League, The record is currently Youssoufa debut would be “a big step “He is one short of winning 18-month process for my body with Dortmund having drawn held by Nigeria’s Celestine Moukoko and he is only 15 years old. We the same amount of Grand to get used to it. Zenit Saint Petersburg, Brugge Babayaro, now 42, who was must give him the necessary Slams as (Pete) Sampras did “It changes the way your and Lazio in Group F. 16 years, 86 days old when he peace and time” to develop, just at one tournament. It’s in- pelvis moves and your body The 15-year-old Moukoko, played for Anderlecht against Kehl added. credible. needs to adjust. already a prolific scorer in Steua Bucharest in 1994. In 2018/19, the robust Last season, aged 14, he Dortmund currently have “I don’t think it’ll be re- “Hopefully with a few German youth football, is not He famously lasted just youngest scored 50 goals in 28 moved up to the U19 squad two 17-year-olds in their first peated and I don’t think any- matches this autumn and on the club’s ‘A’ list of players 34 minutes before being sent matches for Dortmund’s Un- and scored 38 goals in 28 team in Giovanni Reyna and one will be close.” some good training, next year registered for the Champions off, but went on to spend eight der-17 side against much older matches. England junior international Murray reached the second will be a good one.” League competition. years at Chelsea. opponents. Last month, the 15-year- Jude Bellingham. Sports Tuesday, October 13, 2020 15 QFA and ASEAN Football Federation launch digital learning series

Tribune News Network Doha

Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the ASEAN Foot- ball Federation (AFF) are launching an online capacity Generation Amazing marks building series that will fo- cus on football development in the 12-member country six months of engaging ASEAN region. The programme is in the worldwide audience framework of a Memoran- dum of Understanding signed by QFA and AFF in 2019 and through online sessions is developed and delivered in partnership with Josoor Insti- SC.qa pact in their lives.” tute, the education and train- Doha Reflecting on the impact ing arm of the Supreme Com- of the sessions, Generation mittee for Delivery and Legacy. Generation Amazing will Amazing Master Coach, Ham- The first installment of mark six months of GA Live ad Mohamed, said: “It has the four online learning series this week. The online football been a great learning experi- across one year is Bouncing for development series was ence hosting the sessions with back from Covid-19 – safely re- launched to engage and inspire my family members and I’m turning to play and rebuilding youth across the world during thrilled that youth in Qatar and revenues, a two-day workshop The online ca[acity building series programme is in the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by QFA and AFF in 2019 and is the COVID-19 pandemic. around the world have been to help the leaders of AFF’s developed and delivered in partnership with Josoor Institute, the education and training arm of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. Since April, the sessions able to benefit from them.” member federations move to- have attracted more than Last week, #GALive fea- wards a return to play follow- football industry and a discus- to the pandemic has impacted this workshop on rebuilding of international cooperation 150,000 viewers and reached tured former Canadian na- ing the COVID-19 pandemic. sion on solutions for alternative our members and placed a revenue and returning safely in all sectors of the economy, more than 20 million people tional team goalkeeper and The workshop features revenue streams. The second strain on their finances.” to competition will equip our including the sports industry. via the #GALive hashtag. current Head of Women’s prominent speakers in the day will challenge the partici- “As conditions begin to members with the knowl- “With that in mind, bring- The sessions have included Football at CONCACAF, Ka- international sport business pants on how to safely return- ease, it is an opportune time edge and best practices to ing together a multilateral interviews with football stars, rina LeBlanc. During the ses- including executives who ing to training and play amid to have this capacity building mitigate and overcome the group of football federations training sessions with Gen- sion, LeBlanc spoke about have been and are still lead- the still ongoing disruption. workshop which will comple- challenges posed by the on- to learn more and step up their eration Amazing coaches, chil- gender equality and football- ing clubs, leagues, federa- Commenting on the up- ment the relentless efforts of going pandemic.” capacity in dealing with the dren’s book readings, webi- ing values, as well as initiatives tions and agencies through coming workshop, AFF Presi- our members in getting their HE Sheikh Hamad bin pandemic is a necessary ac- nars and details of key topics, geared at women in sport. the pandemic, and who are dent, Major General Khiev respective associations back Khalifa Al Thani, QFA Presi- tion to take, as well as a unique including gender equality and When offering her advice now planning for the months Sameth, said: “The lockdown on track.” dent said: “We are living in opportunity to strengthen ties inclusion. to the next generation, LeB- and years ahead. imposed by the various gov- “With top experts in their unprecedented times. The out- and lay the ground for future A number of Supreme lanc said: “When I told peo- The first day of the work- ernments and subsequent sus- respective fields sharing break of COVID-19 pandemic collaborations between QFA Committee for Delivery & Leg- ple that I wanted to go to the shop will offer an outlook of the pension of competitions due their insights, I am confident reminds us of the importance and the AFF”. acy ambassadors have taken Olympics, I actually got cut part in the sessions, including from my first big team which Xavi Hernandez, Cafu, Samuel I tried out for…I was broken- Eto’o and Tim Cahill, who hearted and felt left out, but all made appearances in the the next year, I trained 15 min- Indian Premier League Ghana beat #GALive Star Chat series. Lo- utes more every single day and cal football legends Mubarak got called up for the full na- Qatar in Mustafa, Khalid Salman and tional team.” Almoez Ali shared messages Leblanc added: “Be willing Kohli hails ‘super-human’ friendly of hope and inspiration, while to work harder than anyone female players, such as Nadia and never let anyone tell you QNA Nadim, Lianne Sanderson and that you can’t do anything!” Antalya (Turkey) Allyson Swaby, spoke exten- Generation Amazing will sively about gender equality. continue its live weekly ses- De Villiers after RCB win Ghana defeated Qatar 5-1 in a friendly match on Monday at AFP looking at 160-165, and it the Mardan Sports Complex in A number of SC Dubai was only thanks to his genius Antalya, Turkey. Scores: Royal ambassadors Challengers we got to 195.” Fosu opened the scor- have taken part Skipper Virat Kohli on Mon- Bangalore 194 for 2 De Villiers took the attack ing for Ghana in the 22nd in the sessions, day praised AB de Villiers’ (de Villiers 73*, to the opposition bowlers with minute, Owusu added the “super-human” effort on a Finch 47, Kohli 33*) Kohli playing second fiddle second in the 65th minute, including Xavi sluggish pitch after the South beat Kolkata Knight at the other end as the duo Ayew scored a brace in the Hernandez, African great hit a match-win- Riders 112 for 9 scored 83 runs from the final 63rd and 83rd minutes, and Cafu, Samuel ning 73 for Royal Challeng- (Gill 34, Morris 2-17, 30 deliveries of the innings. Ekuban netted for the Black Eto’o and Tim ers Bangalore in the Indian Sundar 2-20) by “I am very happy with my Stars in the 87th minute. Cahill Premier League. 82 runs. performance. That’s all I can Almoez Ali scored Qatar’s Bangalore thrashed Kol- say,” De Villiers said after be- only goal in the 44th minute. kata Knight Riders by 82 runs ing named of the match. The game against Ghana in Sharjah as De Villiers stood “I got a duck last game, was part of Qatar’s prepara- Moza Al Mohannadi, Gen- sions until the end of the year. tall with his 33-ball blitz and that is a terrible feeling. I am tion program for the double eration Amazing’s Marketing They will feature home ses- an unbeaten century stand very happy that I contribut- Asian qualifiers for the 2023 & Communications Director, sions, live discussions and ex- with Kohli, who made 33. ed. I surprised myself today AFC Asian Cup in China and said: “We have been inspired clusive interviews. Bangalore posted 194 for to be honest.” the 2022 World Cup. by the consistently positive In addition, in collabora- two, a total their bowlers de- Opener Aaron Finch, who The friendly game was feedback, reach and impact tion with Josoor Institute and fended by keeping down Kolk- made 47, and Devdutt Padik- the first in 2020 after a long of our online sessions since academic partner University ata to 112 for nine in 20 overs. kal, who hit 32, set the plat- hiatus due to the coronavirus the start of the pandemic. We Campus of Football Business, De Villiers, 36, brought the form for Bangalore’s total with (COVID-19) pandemic. will continue to evolve our ses- Generation Amazing will also house down with two of his six a 67-run stand. sions to find the most effective continue to host a monthly sixes going out of the stadium Kolkata’s bowling looked way of engaging with youth to webinar series called ‘Inspir- and one hitting a moving car dismal in the absence of spin- spread the message of creat- ing Youth’ on topics of impor- on the road as he went past ner Sunil Narine who was Premier ing positive change in societies tance during this time. 3000 runs in the Twenty20 dropped from the XI after be- through the transformative Generation Amazing will tournament. ing under warning for a sus- power of football.” also host its first major confer- “Barring one super-hu- pect bowling action. League reform Al Mohannadi added: “We ence on sports diplomacy this man, everyone struggled on Kolkata skipper Dinesh are proud of what we have month, in cooperation with that pitch,” Kohli said of his Karthik said it was just “hard plan under fire achieved in such challeng- the SC, UNESCO and Josoor star player who hit his third to stop” a “world-class player” ing circumstances. By swiftly Institute. This will start a new half-century of the season on a like AB. from UK PM and seamlessly launching the phase of mechanisms for ac- slow Sharjah pitch. South African AB De Villiers in action during his knock of 73 runs “He was the difference be- Generation Amazing online tivating communication and “It was unbelievable. I against Kolkata Knight Ridres in their IPL match in Sharjah on Monday. tween the two teams. We tried AFP engagement, we were able to promoting the sports for de- thought I had a few balls un- everything. The only ball was London reach and support various seg- velopment initiative. der my belt, and I might start he felt good. in other games, but only AB the perfect inswinging yor- ments of differing communi- striking. He just came in and “I said you might see a can did what he did. It was ker. Anything else was going,” British Prime Minister Bo- ties, and make a positive im- struck the third ball, and said lot of people do what is done a fabulous knock. We were said Karthik. ris Johnson has expressed his deep concern over a radical plan by Liverpool and Man- chester United to revamp English football, saying it Tokyo to host four-nation gymnastics contest ahead of Olympics “undermines trust in football governance”. AFP Covid-19 crisis to July and Au- monitored with repeated Cov- The controversial “Pro- Tokyo gust 2021, will go ahead. id tests, which will continue on ject Big Picture” would de- With many countries expe- a daily basis after they arrive. liver a much-needed cash in- Tokyo will host a one-off in- riencing fresh waves of conta- They will only be allowed jection for struggling English ternational gymnastics tourna- gion, big questions -- includ- to move between their hotels Football League (EFL) clubs, ment next month, organisers Thirty-two gymnasts from ing whether spectators will be and the competition and prac- but it has proved divisive as said on Monday, in what could China, Russia, the United allowed -- remain unresolved. tice venues on special vehicles. it concentrates power in the serve as a practice run ahead of States and Japan will face But Morinari Watanabe, Japan’s 14-day quaran- hands of a smaller number the postponed Olympics. off at the November 8 president of the Interna- tine requirement will also be of teams. Under the propos- Thirty-two gymnasts from tional Gymnastics Federation waived, but all the athletes in- als, the number of Premier China, Russia, the United event – the first major (FIG), said next month’s con- volved are already living under League clubs would be re- States and Japan will face off multinational sporting test could provide a reference varying degrees of isolation. duced from 20 to 18 and the at the November 8 event – contest Japan has held point for Olympic bosses. Around 2,000 to 3,000 League Cup and Community the first major multinational since the coronavirus “This is being organised spectators will be allowed at Shield would be abolished. sporting contest Japan has pandemic this year. as our way to uplift the world, the contest, Watanabe said – The club finishing 16th held since the coronavirus which has been driven down just a fraction of the capacity of in the top flight would join pandemic hit earlier this year. by the coronavirus,” Watanabe the Yoyogi First Gymnasium, the Championship play- The competition, which told an online press conference. where the event will be held. offs, while there would be has been under discussion for “If it ends up supporting The venue will host hand- greater voting rights for the months, will have strict anti- efforts toward the Olympics, ball and badminton matches nine longest-serving Premier infection measures in place. as an eventual outcome, I will during next year’s Games, League clubs. The EFL would It is still unclear exactly how be happy,” he added. while gymnastics events immediately benefit to the the Tokyo Olympics, which Before travelling to Japan, will take place at a newly tune of £250mn ($325 mn) were forced back a year by the the gymnasts’ health will be built facility. in a rescue package for clubs.