Sport

FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2020 Younis Khan happy with appointment

"I am pleased to join the Pakistan set-up on a long- term basis. I felt honoured when I was given the opportunity this summer and thoroughly enjoyed my time, and I now look forward to continuing the work with the same group of people on an important tour of New Zealand." Younis Khan Sport | 14 Pakistan batting coach HORSE RACING: DOHA CUP; WINNER: LEKHRAIB; TRAINER: MOHAMMED GASSIM GHAZALI; JOCKEY: MARCO CASAMENTO

OCA Evaluation Committee members visit Qatar's top sports facilities Doha 2030 promises ultimate Asian Games experience

THE PENINSULA - DOHA then taken to the Aspire Dome before moving onto the world-leading The Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Aspetar sports medicine hospital, the Committee yesterday showcased to FIFIA World Cup Al Bayt Stadium and the OCA Evaluation Committee how the Lusail Arena, just some of the Doha is uniquely positioned to deliver existing world class venues that certainty, sustainability and excellence feature in the Doha 2030 Games plan. for the whole of Asia, at a time when Presidents of the National Feder- it is needed the most. ations of gymnastics, athletics and On their second day in Doha, the table tennis, and the President of the Evaluation Committee, was taken on Women’s Sport Committee joined the a tour of the city’s extensive, existing tour, meeting with promising young state-of-the-art infrastructure and athletes, in a demonstration of the bid’s presented with the Bid Committee’s full support from all levels of the Qatar plan’s to deliver a seamless, athlete- sports community. focused Games plan, with sustaina- Among the athletes was Abdulla bility at its core. Al Tamimi, who said: “I joined Aspire The expert delegation saw first- Academy as a junior in 2006, the year hand how Doha’s tried and tested Doha last hosted the Asian Games. sports venues and medical facilities, Thanks to the excellent coaching and which have catered for the world’s best state-of-the-art facilities I was able to athletes in the world’s biggest events, work my way to become one of the are ready to provide the ultimate top ranked squash players in the A young football player speaks to a member of the Olympic Council of Asia's Games experience in 2030. world.” Evaluation Committee at Aspire Academy in Doha yesterday. Qatar Olympic The tour began at Al Bidda Tower, Doha 2030 CEO and QOC Sec- Committee Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is also seen. home of the Supreme Committee for retary General Jassim bin Rashid Al and Legacy of the FIFA World Buenain outlined the importance of Cup Qatar 2022. certainty and sustainability in the The delegation was presented with current climate: and responsible manner. We can say plans. Alongside world-class sports the Committee’s impressive sustain- “This year has been defined by this because all of our proposed per- venues, Nada explained that the Ath- ability strategy and commitment to uncertainty, which is why the sports manent venues already exist, and the letes’ Village would be located in Lusail delivering a carbon-neutral event, movement needs certainty now more majority of these world-class facilities City, Qatar’s first and largest sus- which will be leveraged by Doha 2030 than ever. Doha 2030 can do more have already successfully hosted many tainable city, providing accessibility The Evaluation to contribute to one of the most envi- than just offer certainty. We can say international or continental events." and unprecedented services. Committee yesterday ronmentally friendly Asian Games ever with absolute confidence that we will He added: "With this experience “Doha 2030 is committed to held. deliver the excellence that OCA and also comes knowledge in delivering ensuring our venues provide athletes experienced the city’s The Evaluation Committee was Asia’s NOCs deserve, in a sustainable the all-important Games-services that with everything they need so they can ultra-modern Metro, area critical to success- compete at their best and inspire the ffully staging major next generation," Nada said which is part of Doha’s events.e Our certainty of yesterday. sophisticated transport excellence,e will allow us “We can already guarantee ath- network, promising tot focus our attention on letes and all participants – OCA minimisingm our impact Family, officials, media and spectators average travel times at ono the environment and – an event experience like no other, the Games of 20 to 30 contributingc to a because we have a proven track record minutes. strongers future for Asia in successfully staging major sports beforeb and after 2030.” events. Nada Mohammed “All permanent venues for the Wafa,W one of Qatar’s first Games are in place and we have femalef Olympians who developed a Games plan that is The delegation was also competedc at London compact, sustainable and puts athletes 20122 and Rio 2016, pre- at its heart. This year, athletes have given an insight into senteds to the Evaluation experienced disruption like never Doha’s wealth of The OCA Evaluation Committee members are during their visit to Aspetar CommitteeC how athletes before, so it is vital that we offer them history, culture and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha yesterday. haveh been placed at the certainty of excellence, allowing them forefrontf of Doha 2030’s to focus on achieving their dreams.” entertainment, which will ensure the Games We can say with absolute confidence that we is a celebration of will deliver the excellence that OCA and Asia’s diversity and Asia’s NOCs deserve, in a sustainable and provide the perfect responsible manner. setting for the whole OCA family to relax and Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain Doha 2030 CEO and QOC Secretary General enjoy themselves.

A view of Aspire Academy's track and field arena in Doha. Sport FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2020 14 Casamento guides Lekhraib to Doha Cup win

RESULTS (Top 3) THE PENINSULA — DOHA Baker De Saularie was victo- Horse, Trainer, Jockey rious in the Purebred Arabian DOHA CUP Lekhraib, with Marco Casa- Conditions, also carrying a prize 1 - Lekhraib, Mohammed mento in the saddle, yesterday money of QR100,000. Mickael Gassim Ghazali, Marco claimed the Doha Cup triumph Berto rode the 6-year-old horse Casamento with a short-head win in the to a 1¾-length win in the 1800m 2 -Barra, Alban Elie Marie De Conditions for Local Purebred run. Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi Arabians at Qatar Racing and Gassim Mohammad Ghaz- 3 - Sealine, Alban Elie Marie De Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan ali-trained Rajeh, with Saleh Mieulle, Ronan Thomas Park. Salem Al Marri in the saddle, PUREBRED ARABIAN The feature race of yester- secured second position while CONDITIONS day’s 10th Race Meeting pro- Faleh Bughanaim rode Bsheer 1 - Baker De Saularie, Osama duced a thrilling action with to third position. Omer E Al-Dafea, Mickael Barra, helmed by Soufiane In Class 3 Thoroughbred Berto Saadi, just finishing short of Handicap, JP Guillambert 2 - Rajeh, Gassim Mohammad Mohammed Ghazali-trained astride Shaheen Bin Khalid Ghazali, Saleh Salem Al-Marri 6-year-old Lekhraib in the Shaheen Al Ghanim’s Yaarmen, 3 - Bsheer (USA), Hossin QR100,000 event. was fastest recording a 5-length Mohammad Ashour, Faleh Ronan Thomas rode Alban win in 1700m run. Bughanaim Elie Marie De Mieulle-trained Marco Casamento rode THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP Sealine to third position, with Roman Legend to second place 1 - Yaarmen (USA), Gassim the winning side receiving in the race, while Jabalaly, with Mohammad Ghazali, JP QR57,000. Team Barra got QR Soufiane Saadi in the saddle Guillambert 22,000 for second place, while took third position. 2 - Roman Legend (IRE), Team Sealine walked away with Yesterday’s meeting Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, 11,000 for third position. brought an end to an exciting Marco Casamento Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi week of races, which also saw 3 - Jabalaly (IRE), Ibrahim presented trophies to the Ali Bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi’s winners of Doha Cup. Ajal clinching the Al Wukair Cup Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, Lekhraib (left), with Marco Casamento in the saddle takes a slim lead during yesterday's feature race Soufiane Saadi Also yesterday, the Osama with a huge victory with Italian Omer Al Dafea-owned & trained jockey Alberto Sanna. at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park. Djokovic leads the star cast as NBA: Lakers to start 2020-21 London bids farewell to Finals season without fans in stands REUTERS — LONDON default in the US Open and runs being two runner-up between 2003 and 2015, the Last year nearly 250,000 fans thrashing by Nadal in the finishes in London in 2010 last three years in London It will not be the party flocked to the Thames-side French Open final he will be and 2013. has seen first-time winners REUTERS — LOS ANGELES envisaged as London bids dome over the eight days of the eager to put the year to bed His last two appearances in Grigor Dimitrov, Zverev farewell to the ATP Finals with a powerful statement. ended in round-robin stage and Tsitsipas and that First the Los Angeles Lakers were forced but despite the strangest of tournament won by Greek Djokovic,Djokovic, denied the exits. sequence could continue. to skip a championship parade and now circumstances the season- Stefanos Tsitsipas. 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Pakistan confirm call up Pucovski, Australia kicks Smith Younis as batting captaincy question coach for 2 years Green for India Test series REUTERS — LAHORE down the road REUTERS — MELBOURNE Swepson among the potential injury, however, and his best REUTERS — MELBOURNE Former Younis Khan will test debutants against Virat chance of a debut may be the continue as the men’s batting coach Australia have named batting Kohli’s team. third test at the Sydney Cricket The question of whether of Pakistan until the talent Will Pucovski and all- “What we saw in the Ground to provide another pace (pictured) will World Cup in 2022, the country’s rounder Cameron Green among opening rounds of the... Shef- option if Australia opts for two regain the captaincy of the cricket board (PCB) said yesterday. five uncapped players in an field Shield were a number of spinners on a turning . Test team continues to gnaw Younis is the only Pakistan extended 17-man squad for the players performing excep- New South Wales paceman at Australian cricket nearly batsman in ’s 10,000-run four-Test series against India. tionally well,” selector Trevor Abbott and Queensland veteran three years after the ball- club and accompanied the side on Victoria opener Pucovski Hohns said in a media release. Neser are the reserve quicks tampering scandal in South their tour of England this summer. and Green join seamers Sean “Two of those many behind regulars , Africa. “The PCB will also be utilising Abbott, Michael Neser and standout players were of course , Australia’s selectors, Younis Khan’s expertise and skills Queensland legleg- Cameron Green and Will and . however, are refusing to bite. when he’s not on national duty as spinners pinner Pucovski. The uncapped five may Smith was suspended The second vice-cap- he will help local batsmen hone MitchellMitchell “Their undeniable form struggle to dislodge anyone from cricket for 12 months tain’s role, which was held their skills,” PCB Chief Executive demanded selection and we are from the Australian team that and banned from leadership by batsman , has Wasim Khan said in a statement. very pleased to have these whitewashed Pakistan and New roles for two years after been terminated to align The board said the appointment young men in the squad for Zealand last summer, though “Sandpaper-gate” erupted in with the more traditional of Younis will be “until, at least” the what will be a tremendous test opener may be Cape Town in March, 2018. leadership setup of the 2022 T20 World Cup, which is Series against an extremely for- feeling the heat from Pucovski has led Aus- one-day side. scheduled to be held in Aus- midable opponent.” after a run of low scores for tralia’s Test side with dis- Smith’s name was not tralia in Shaggy-haired 22-year-old Queensland. tinction since and continues even raised in discussions October-November. opener Pucovski has been in India beat Paine’s team 2-1 to with Smith back in it. about the leadership roles, Younis scored 10,099 red-hot form with the bat, in 2018/19, becoming the first With Paine turning 36 selectors chairman Trevor runs and 34 hundreds in 118 scoring 495 runs in two Shef- Asian side to triumph in a Test before the first Test against Hohns said yesterday. Tests, and also played 265 field Shield matches. He re- series on Australian soil. India starts on December 17, “All I can answer to that one-dayers and 25 T20 inter- joins the Test squad nearly two TEST SQUAD few players have better cre- one is that discussion hasn’t nationals for Pakistan. The years after narrowly missing dentials to succeed the wick- been had yet,” Hohns said 42-year-old said he was out on a debut against Sri Tim Paine (capt), Sean Abbott, Joe Burns, etkeeper than star batsman bluntly in a video call with pleased to take up the job on Lanka. Along with Pucovski, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Smith, whose leadership ban reporters. a long-term basis. Green has been earmarked as Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus expired in March. “That’s difficult to say, he “I am particularly a future Test performer and has Labuschagne, , Michael Neser, Yet it was fast bowler Pat will obviously be - probably happy that my scope of piled up the runs for Western James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Cummins confirmed as the - a contender but whether

work has been extended Tim Paine Australia in the Shield. Mitchell Starc, , Matthew team’s sole vice-captain we go down that path or not beyond the national He has only recently Wade, when the 17-man squad was depends on when that duties,” he added. returned to bowling after a back named yesterday. arises,” he said. FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2020 SPORT 15 Showcasing Doha's unique status as sports hub

QOC President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and members of OCA Evaluation Committee pose for a group picture with young football players during their visit at Aspire Academy.

Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi informs OCA Evaluation Committee members about facilities at Al Rayyan Stadium.

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani speaks with an OCA Evaluation Committee member during their visit to Aspire Academy.

OCA Evaluation Committee members are being apprised about the facilities OCA Evaluation Committee visiting Al Bayt Stadium, yesterday. at Aspire Academy. Amir Cup Shooting & Archery begins with Trap event

THE PENINSULA — DOHA A shooter getting ready for the competition, The PET Trap round for the Amir yesterday. Cup 2020 Shooting & Archery Championship began at the Lusail Shooting Complex yesterday. Among the many seen fine-tuning their skills at the Lusail Range included A shooter takes Qatar’s shotgun athletes aim during Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Nasser opening day's Al Hamidi, Saeed Abu Sharb and action at Lusail. Rashid Al Athba. Many archers were also seen Saoud Al Qahtani practising ahead of the men’s Recurve 2x30 Qualification and Recurve Elimination (30m) Saoud Al Qahtani is head of needs participants to keep for the skeet, trap and double which will be take place from the shotgun referees committee developing and such champi- trap competitions, but also to 8am today. for the championship. onships provide them with the referee the rifle, pistol, and The prestigious champi- Speaking about the Amir ideal needed platform so that archery competitions." onship will see the participation Cup championship, he said, they can be ready for interna- "We hope that this com- of top Qatar shooters and “This prestigious tournament is tional competitions. mittee will have a role in the archers in the men, women and an opportunity for all our As for the referees, he said. success of the Qatari shooting youth category in the 17-day shooters and to enhance their “We have a distinguished and ensure their march in all the long event which will conclude experience and to sharpen their referee cadre and we have pre- competitions they are involved on November 28. skills. We all know that this sport pared a refereeing team not only in.” Qatar ready for Costa Rica friendly in Vienna U-16: Qatar beat Lebanon 3-1 in Doha friendly

Qatar U-16 players celebrate after their 3-1 victory over Lebanon, yesterday. The match Qatar national team's players during a training session ahead of their friendly match against Costa Rica, which was played at will be played today. The game will be played at Vienna's BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium with kick off set for Aspire pitch. 6:00pm Austria time. Qatar will also play a friendly against South Korea on November 17.