TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016 SPORTS

Ex-international Wilkins Cagliari target Egyptian teenager admits drink problem Adebayor: Report Sobhi signs for Stoke MILAN: LONDON: A British court handed Ray Wilkins a four-year driving ban yesterday, new boys Cagliari are hoping to lure out-of- LONDON: Highly-regarded Egyptian teenage winger Ramadan Sobhi became as the former England international midfielder and ex-Chelsea assistant revealed contract veteran striker Emmanuel Adebayor to the club, Stoke City manager Mark Hughes’ first signing of the summer yesterday, join- his battle with alcoholism. The 59-year-old pleaded guilty at Uxbridge reports said yesterday. Adebayor is without a club after scor- ing for a £5million fee (6m euros, $6.5m) which could rise to £6m. The 19-year- Magistrates’ Court after being found to have been three times over the drink-dri- ing just one goal for Crystal Palace in a six-month spell in the old-already capped six times at senior level-joins from Egyptian giants Al-Ahly ve limit. A member of the public spotted him driving his Mercedes in the middle last season. Cagliari have been targeting and is expected to fly out to join his new team-mates on their pre-season tour of the road and straddling a bus lane in London on July 1. He was seen Atalanta striker Marco Borriello but according to Tuttosport of the United States. “We are absolutely delighted to have signed a striking a kerb and swigging alcohol from the bottle behind the are also keen on Adebayor if the move for the former Roma player of Ramadan’s undoubted quality and potential,” Stoke chief wheel. The member of the public then took his keys away when the marksman fails to work out. Adebayor, 32, played arguably executive Tony Scholes told the club website. “He’s a special young car stopped, in order to prevent a possible accident. District judge the best football of his career in the Premier League with talent who is excited about the prospect of making an impact in the Tim Boswell gave Wilkins, who has two previous drink-driving con- Arsenal and Manchester City. But the towering striker fell out Premier League and we’re looking forward to giving him that plat- victions dating back to 2013, a 10-week suspended prison sen- of favour at Roberto Mancini’s City following the arrival of form.” Sobhi, who made his professional debut as a 16-year-old tence, ordered him to do 140 hours’ unpaid work and disqualified Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and during the 2010- and was capped for the first time a year later, helped Al Ahly him from driving for 48 months. Standing in the dock, Wilkins 2011 season. He moved on loan to Real Madrid for six months win a series of domestic honours, including the 2015/16 said: “Abstinence is the only way I can cure this situation.” in January 2011 and although he returned to City, the Togo Egyptian league title under the guidance of former Wilkins enjoyed a hugely successful playing career that international was subsequently sent on loan to Tottenham the Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham manager Martin Jol. took in Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan, following season. Adebayor secured a permanent deal in 2012 Sobhi is the latest Egyptian star to try his luck in the before returning to Stamford Bridge as an assistant. and was Spurs’ top scorer with 14 goals from 25 appearances Premier League, after former striker Mido played His last post was in the Premier League last season but was released by the club in September 2015, preceding for Spurs, while Hull City winger Ahmed as an assistant at Aston Villa. — AFP his move to Crystal Palace. — AFP Elmohamady is a current example. — AFP

Toyota GAZOO ends Le Mans 24 Hours with podium finish 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship

KUWAIT: Toyota GAZOO Racing finished sec- ry, with three cars locked in an intense battle our emotions today. It is simply heartbreaking ond in the 84th edition of the Le Mans 24 for the entire 24 hours. but we will return stronger and more deter- Hours held recently in France with victory and According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief mined to win.” a first place finish taken from its grasp in a cru- Representative, Middle East and North Africa As a new car for 2016, the Toyota TS050 el late twist. Both the Toyota TS050 Hybrids Representative Office, Toyota Motor Hybrid with its powerful 2.4litre turbo engine, took turns to lead the race as part of an excit- Corporation, “Winning at Le Mans is a great 8MJ hybrid system and redesigned chassis, did ing battle with their nearest competitor and challenge and unfortunately, a first place finish not start the race as favourite but demonstrat- were poised to win with the Toyota Hybrid just eluded our grasp. Inspite of that, it was a ed its potential by setting the pace through- vehicle #5 crew of Anthony Davidson, commendable performance by the entire out. Better fuel efficiency from the Toyota Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima before team of drivers and support staff. We will use TS050 Hybrid allowed it to complete 14 laps incredible late drama. Toyota was taking part this experience to make further enhance- per stint, while its rivals pitted one lap earlier. in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, the high- ments to the Toyota TS050 Hybrid as part of That reduced the number of stops required light of the 2016 FIA World Endurance our constant efforts to build ever better vehi- and contributed to a fascinating battle for the Championship (WEC) season. cles. I would like to thank our fans for their win. After 20 hours of flat-out racing, the top Starting what would have been the penulti- encouragement and we look forward to their three were covered by less than 30 seconds, mate lap, with Kazuki at the wheel, the Toyota support of our racing initiatives in 2016.” but soon the Toyota Hybrid vehicle #6 Hybrid vehicle #5 suffered a sudden loss of dropped out of the battle for second, spend- power. Despite strenuous efforts to restore IMPRESSIVE ing nine minutes in the garage to repair body- drive, the car struggled round the lap and According to Toshio Sato, Team President, “I work. Nevertheless, it resumed in a comfort- stopped on the start-finish line. It was eventu- am incredibly proud of our team effort, not able third place. There was no respite for the ally restarted and completed the final lap too just today but since Le Mans last year. The way team in a nervous finale as the Toyota Hybrid slowly to be classified. we have responded to the pain of our 2015 vehicle#5 held off its rival until, with the race The Toyota Hybrid vehicle #6 of Stephane disappointment, by developing an all-new seemingly heading Toyota’s way, 260,000 Sarrazin, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi chassis and powertrain in a short timeframe, stunned fans witnessed one of the most dra- finished second. That marked Toyota’s sixth has been impressive and the performance of matic finales in the history of Le Mans. podium finish, its fifth second place, in its 18th the TS050 Hybrid was strong. We worked as The team will analyse the cause of the Le Mans since a debut entry in 1985. The race one team and took part in an amazing Le problem as part of its preparations for the was one of the closest fights in Le Mans histo- Mans 24 Hours. I have no words to describe 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours. ACC gets new look with arrival of four new coaches for 2016

CHARLOTTE: The Atlantic Coast at Baylor, arrives after winning 18 body will be proud of us, just a team Conference’s four new coaches find games the past two seasons at that will play hard, play physical, be a very different challenges ahead for the Bowling Green. The challenge is also disciplined bunch, just get after it.” 2016 season. Miami’s Mark Richt is daunting for Mendenhall, who left BYU The Hokies won four ACC champi- charged with helping a program leap after 11 seasons to replace Mike onships during a run of eight straight into the league’s upper echelon, while London at a Virginia program with one 10-win seasons under Frank Beamer. Virginia Tech’s Justin Fuente must winning record in eight years. But they began to slide around 2012 reverse the slide from annual 10-win Mendenhall went about installing an and had finished 7-6 in each of the seasons to also-ran status in the wide- “earned, not given” approach at past two years, leading to Fuente’s open Coastal Division. Virginia, down to taking away players’ arrival from Memphis. It’s a little tougher for Syracuse’s jersey numbers. So far, he said, he likes But Fuente isn’t distancing himself Dino Babers and Virginia’s Bronco the way his Cavaliers have responded. from that past, evidenced by the deci- Mendenhall, who must build a new “He took pictures off the walls, he took sion to retain longtime defensive coor- foundation for programs that have our clothes away, he took the locker dinator Bud Foster. struggled for wins. room away ... he took everything from “We also have an obligation to build They all arrived in Charlotte for last us,” Virginia center Jackson Matteo said. on what (Beamer) has done,” Fuente week’s ACC Kickoff preseason media “Earning all that back together, doing said. “That does not mean doing it days fielding questions about how hard things together, imagine how exactly the way he did it. That means they’ve reshaped their programs. Now special that bond is.” The trick at Miami paying great tribute to the way he did it’s time to think about what happens and Virginia Tech is more about provid- things and understanding there was a on the field with training camp nearly ing a jolt. Miami arrived in the ACC in fantastic foundation there of core val- VIVA concludes ‘VIVA Manchester here. “I think you’ve got to wait until 2004 as the projected Coastal Division ues, and let’s build on it through our you go to games,” Babers said. “Spring power opposite Florida State in the own core values.” ball is one thing, two-a days is one Atlantic. But the Hurricanes have yet to The arrivals of Richt, Fuente and United’ training camp thing but until they actually get into a win a division title and spent five years Mendenhall certainly add a new look game, I don’t think they truly buy in. under Al Golden bouncing between 5- for the seven-team Coastal Division, KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-grow- ing the players on the best maneu- Kuwaiti players who engaged in this Young people are just like old people. 3 and 3-5 league records. which hasn’t had a repeat champion ing and most developed telecom vers, attacks, different scenarios and training camp and demonstrated high They can say the right things but Richt, a Miami alumnus, arrives after since 2011. operator, announced the conclusion conditioned games. The program also and significant soccer skills. We shared you’ve got to prove it to them.” Babers 15 years at Georgia and inherits a tal- “There’s going to be a difference,” of “VIVA Manchester United” training focused on different technical areas, those players this unrivalled experi- inherits a Syracuse program with just ented returning quarterback in Brad said Larry Fedora, coach of reigning camp for the 16 qualifying players such as dribbling, short passing, turn- ence during their trip and we hope seven wins - three in the league - in the Kaaya. “The thing that people want to Coastal champ North Carolina. “And who travelled to Manchester in ing and finishing. they carry on in this journey to reach last two seasons under Scott Schafer. ask: How do you think the team is every one of them is trying to make England, to practice at Manchester Commenting on this occasion, more success.” He added: “VIVA will It’s part of a freefall for a program that going to do? I really don’t know for their team better than they were a year United’s Cliff Training Ground. Ayman Salem Al-Mutairi, Corporate keep supporting the Kuwaiti youth has managed three winning seasons sure,” Richt said. “The only thing I prom- ago. “If they weren’t, (the schools) The training program included sev- Communications Senior Manager at athletes to fulfill their dreams and since winning 10 games in 2001. ised is that we’re going to work hard wouldn’t have gotten rid of their eral workshops and activities educat- VIVA said: “We are proud of the accomplish their goals.” Babers, a former assistant to Art Briles and try to do things the way every- coaches.” —AP