SPORT Tuesday 16 October 2018 PAGE | 28 PAGE | 30 Warriors seek more Djokovic closing glory as title-hungry in on Nadal’s rivals lurk No.1 ranking spot The representatives of the Russia 2018 and top officials from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) pose for a photograph with FIFA officials following a debriefing session on the recently concluded World Cup in Zurich on Friday. Our aim was to ensure that everything – achievements Qatar will be an incredibly creative and and challenges – is translated into constructive remarkable World Cup host, says FIFA learnings for the future, knowing THE PENINSULA constructive learnings for the preparation for 2022. Russia set preparations for the 2022 FIFA that not every future, knowing that not every a very high standard for us to World Cup are already in full single aspect from ZURICH: FIFA is looking forward single aspect from Russia 2018 follow and their success serves swing.” Russia 2018 will to an exciting time at the 2022 will be applicable to Qatar 2022,” The debrief session as inspiration for us as we The report on FIFA’s official be applicable to World Cup to be held in Qatar, a Samoura said in an article posted prepare for and look forward to website yesterday said the top official with the world yesterday on www.fifa.com. shed further light on hosting the Middle East’s first two-day debriefing started with Qatar 2022: FIFA governing body said following a “There are many ways to what made the 2018 FIFA World Cup in four years’ a general introductory session, Secretary-General, series of meetings with football organise a fantastic FIFA World FIFA World Cup such a time,” he added. followed by focus groups that Fatma Samoura officials from Russia and Qatar. Cup: with Russia, we found one; FIFA’s Chief Tournament & highlighted best practices and Fatma Samoura, the FIFA and I have no doubt that Qatar fantastic event: Hassan Events Officer, Colin Smith, said: lessons learnt from areas such as Secretary-General, last week met will be an incredibly creative and Al Thawadi, Secretary- “The debriefing was a great infrastructure, venue man- with the Local Organising Com- remarkable host,” she added in General of SC opportunity for key colleagues agement, volunteers, waste man- memories for the fans from all mittee (LOC) of the 2018 FIFA the post. from the Russian LOC and FIFA agement, security, logistics and around the world, but it has also World Cup held in Russia and top Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary to reunite and, with the benefit communications. already proved to be a catalyst officials from the Supreme Com- -General of SC, said Qatar was further light on what made the of hindsight, delve into the detail “We are very happy that the for many positive changes in our mittee for Delivery and Legacy moving ahead with this prepara- 2018 FIFA World Cup such a fan- of the planning and delivery of World Cup in Russia was globally country – in football, in terms of (SC) in Zurich during a special tions to stage a grand edition of tastic event,” Al Thawadi said the 2018 World Cup in order to acclaimed as a huge success,” economics and also in the social debriefing session at the home of the World Cup in 2022. Al “The lessons we learned from assess the relevance of key Alexey Sorokin, the CEO of the realm,” Sorokin said. football. Thawadi praised Russia for being this session and from our partic- learnings for Qatar. The 2018 FIFA World Cup LOC, said In July FIFA President con- “Our aim was to ensure that an ‘inspiration’ for future FIFA ipation in observation pro- debriefing marked the closure of in his remarks. firmed that said the 2022 tour- everything – achievements and World Cup hosts. grammes during the tournament one chapter and passed the oper- “Not only did the event leave nament will begin on November challenges – is translated into “The debrief session shed will play an important role in our ational baton to Qatar where lasting bright and joyful 21 and continue until December 18. Doha Worlds to boost Qatari gymnasts, says Al Hitmi FAWAD HUSSAIN world where the level of gymnastics “Competing at this level will defi- THE PENINSULA has reached. We cannot put pressure nitely improve their game and boost on our (budding) gymnasts because its their confidence. DOHA: This month’s World Artistic a very tough challenge,” said Al Hitmi. “The event will also attract young Gymnastics Championships in Doha Asked if the Doha Worlds can prove kids to this sport which will be a huge will leave a lasting legacy that could to be a launching pad for Qatari ath- boost for Qatar gymnastics. We are help build a strong player base in the letes to break into the elite club of gym- optimistic that we will reach these country, the Qatar Gymnastics Feder- nasts in the future, the answer came in goals,” Al Hitmi said. ation (QGF) President Ali Al Hitmi said affirmative. He stressed that the young Qatari yesterday. “Yes, it can be a breakthrough for gymnasts have the qualities to shine in Qatar will field three gymnasts - our gymnasts. This event will benefit major events in the coming years. Ahmed Nabil, Ahmed Al Dayani and them, and it will also help Qatar gym- “With more support and expe- Jana Al Kiki – in the October nastics in many ways. It will be moti- rience, Qatari gymnasts have the 25-November 3 event, which will be vating for our gymnasts when they will potential to become medal winners in held at Aspire Dome where several compete alongside the major championships just like out track Olympic and World champions will likes of Simona Biles and field stars. compete. and Kohei Meanwhile, Al Hitmi, who is also The relatively inexperienced Uchimura. the Executive Director of the World Qatari athletes, who recently took part Championships, said his team is ready in the Asian Games in Jakarta, face a to host the long event in a befitting difficult test against the world’s best manner. gymnasts, and Al Hitmi said he was “It is a new challenge for us. We not putting pressure of expectations are working as a team since a on them. long time to make this happen. “It is a very tough competition as We are looking to make it as the only eight gymnasts will qualify for best World Championships ever the final from a lengthy and star- and want to show the world studded line-up in every event,” the how successful we can be in QGF President said on the sidelines of hosting big events.” a sponsorship signing ceremony at He added the QGF has “We have made a deal with com- Ali Al Hitmi (left), Qatar Gymnastics Westin Hotel in Doha yesterday. made efforts to ensure best panies to arrange tours to famous Federation (QGF) and Executive “We will only expect from our stay for the touring tourism points in Qatar so that the gym- Manager of the 48th Artistic gymnasts to give their best and avoid gymnasts. nasts can have a good time when they Gymnastics World Championship mistakes. These three gym- are not busy with their competition,” and Eissa Al Hitmi, Director General nasts will have to he said. of ALKASS exchanging documents show the The World during a sponsorship signing Artistic Gymnastics ceremony held at Westin Hotel in Championships Doha yesterday. The Championship Doha 2018 will see will be held in Doha from October more than 700 ath- 25 to November 3. letes representing 83 PICTURE: BAHER AMIN / Qatar’s Ahmed Al Dayani in action during the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in this file photo. countries in action. THE PENINSULA 28 SPORT TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018 Patriots Warriors seek more glory end Chiefs’ unbeaten as title-hungry rivals lurk start REUTERS AFP Golden State will try “No matter if it’s a Tuesday MVP LeBron James left Cleveland “With this team, the depth to become the first team night at home or a back-to-back for the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s we have, I think we’ve got an FOXBOROUGH: Tom WASHINGTON: Two-time NBA since the 2000-2002 Los in some random East Coast city, unlikely to lift them from 35 wins answer for everything. We’ve Brady passed for 340 Most Valuable Player Stephen Angeles Lakers to win you’re going to be tested and you to title contenders in a season, just got to figure out what that yards, and the New Curry (pictured) will enjoy can’t just sleepwalk through leaving the Rockets to again offer answer is.” England Patriots got a watching the Golden State three consecutive NBA stuff. the best threat in the West to The Celtics have some 28-yard field goal from Warriors hoist another champi- titles and join the 1950s “We’ve been exposed at Golden State’s supremacy after sorting to do as well in an East Stephen Gostkowski as onship banner today when they Minneapolis Lakers and times in terms of when we’re not adding 10-time All-Star Carmelo up for grabs with James gone time expired on Sunday open the 2018-19 NBA campaign 1960s Boston Celticstics aass extremelyete ey lockedoc ed in tthat atweca we can Anthonytoy to the t e lineup. eup. fromoCevead Cleveland.. night to beat the Chiefs against Oklahoma City. the only clubs to wwinin four be beat.beat. ButBut whenwhen wewe areare ffocusedocused “We’re trying to win a cham-cham- TorontoToronto addedadded KawhiKawhi 43-40 at Foxborough, But the 3-point sharpshooter titles in five years.