Sports Thursday, July 9, 2020 15 Alonso returns to his Renault family for 2021 F1 season

AFP Spielberg bei Knittelfeld (Austria)

Two-time world champion I’m returning to the team that gave me my chance Fernando Alonso will return to at the start of my career and which now gives me Formula One with Renault for the opportunity to return to the highest level. the 2021 season, the team an- Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid nounced on Wednesday. Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso Al Buenain attended the workshop via videoconferencing. “Renault DP World F1 Team is pleased to confirm Fernando Alonso alongside QOC Secy-General attends GCC Esteban Ocon in its driver line-up for the 2021 season,” Olympic Committees’ workshop Renault said in a statement. Alonso, who has notched up QNA ing achieves its goals. 32 wins and 97 podiums in 314 Doha The meeting also dis- Grand Prix starts, will replace cussed the measures taken by Australian driver Daniel Ric- The Qatar Olympic Committee the GCC nations and effects ciardo, who is McLaren-bound (QOC) Secretary-General Jas- of coronavirus pandemic on at the end of this season. sim bin Rashid Al Buenain on sports activities and Olympic Alonso, who won his two Fernando Alonso, who won his two world championship titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, will return to Formula One for the 2021 season. Wednesday attended the work- movement in general. world championship titles shop of the GCC Olympic Com- Moreover, the GCC Secre- with Renault in 2005 and years at McLaren and is due the means to get back on the between him, the team and and winning to overcome mittees Secretaries-General taries-General reviewed the 2006, said the French team to make a third attempt to podium, as do I.” the fans make him a natural hurdles together. Alongside organised by the GCC Secretar- means to tackle the current had given him his “fondest win the Indianapolis 500 with Cyril Abiteboul, managing choice. In addition to past Esteban, his mission will be iat-General by videoconference and expected challenges of the memories” in Formula One. McLaren in August. director of Renault Sport Rac- successes, it is a bold mutual to help Renault DP World to discuss the effects of corona- pandemic, as well as arrange- “Renault is my family,” the Alonso said he had bought ing said the signing of Alonso choice as well as a project for F1 Team prepare for the virus pandemic on the sports ments for the return of sports 38-year-old Spaniard said. into Renault’s project for the was a sign of Renault’s “plan the future.” 2022 season in the best sector at the GCC nations. activities at the national, GCC “It’s a great source of pride coming season. to continue its commitment to Abiteboul added: “His expe- possible conditions.” During the workshop, and international levels. and with an immense emotion “Their progress this winter F1 and to return to the top of rience and determination will F1 teams are in Austria the QOC Secretary-General The workshop came up I’m returning to the team that gives credibility to the objec- the field”. enable us to get the best out of preparing for the second race thanked the GCC Secretar- with a number of recommen- gave me my chance at the start tives for the 2022 season and I “His presence in our team is each other to take the team to- of the season this Sunday af- iat-General for holding this dations and suggestions, to of my career and which now will share all my racing experi- a formidable asset on the sport- wards the excellence that mod- ter Mercedes driver Valtteri workshop to focus lights on be submitted to the Council gives me the opportunity to re- ence with everyone from the ing level but also for the brand ern Formula 1 demands. Bottas took the chequered the effects of coronavirus of Presidents of the GCC Na- turn to the highest level.” engineers to the mechanics and to which he is very attached,” “He will also bring to flag in the opening race of the pandemic on the GCC sports tional Olympic Committees at Alonso left Formula One my team-mates,” he said. Abiteboul said. our team, which has grown coronavirus-delayed season, sector and wished the meet- their next meeting. in 2018 after four fruitless “The team wants and has “The strength of the bond very fast, a culture of racing also in Austria, last weekend. ITTF praise for Qatar and Arab Djokovic says he’s still undecided over US Open AFP on August 31. Four players -- Djokovic, Wednesday he won’t play at Djokovic resumed training , Borna Coric exhibition events next week in Table Tennis Federation president on Tuesday and said he would and -- tested pos- Berlin and rather focus on train- QNA cesses and a qualitative shift for , who recently take part on clay events. itive for the virus after the event ing, while confirming a trial pe- Lausanne (Switzerland) the game and international fed- tested negative for coronavirus “Participation at Roland which saw little social distanc- riod with Spain’s David Ferrer eration by establishing the first after testing positive during his Garros is certain for now, Ma- ing and packed stands. as coach. The International Table Tennis strategic plan for the federation Balkans charity event, told a drid and Rome are part of my Djokovic’s coach Goran “I have made the decision Federation (ITTF) has praised in 2018 and implementing good Serbian newspaper on Wednes- agenda,” he said. Ivanisevic also contracted COV- to stay put and train with my the efforts of Qatar’s Khalil Al governance. day that he still was not sure if The Serbian said he thought ID-19. Djokovic, widely criti- team and not play any organ- Mohannadi, President of the Khalil Al Mohannadi, President, Qa- “WTT is providing table he would play the US Open. the ATP’s revised ranking sys- cised for hosting the tourna- ized events at the moment. It is Qatar and Arab Table Ten- tar & Arab Table Tennis Federation. tennis the platform it needs “I still do not know if I will tem, due to be introduced in ment, issued an apology, saying never nice to miss the chance to nis Federation, and ITTF and in order to grow and become play the US Open,” the tennis August, was “correct”. he was “so deeply sorry” that the play at home but I will be back,” ATTF First Vice-President, in of the WTT that steps to set it one of the biggest sports on the world number one said in an Djokovic said on July 2 that event “caused harm”. Zverev said on Instagram. developing and promoting table up started in August 2019 are planet, so I am truly excited to interview with the Sportski Zur- he and his wife Jelena had both But Djokovic said the wide- He said he was going tennis after joining the World planning to put players and fans be involved in the leadership of nal daily paper. tested negative for coronavirus spread criticism he received was through a “trial period” with Table Tennis (WTT). at the centre of development by WTT,” said Al Mohannadi. “I will certainly not play after testing positive like a “witch hunt”. Ferrar who ended his career In a statement on its official increasing sponsors to bring the “In recent years, we have Washington or Cincinnati as during the Adria Tour “I see nothing but critics last year - after losing to Zverev website, the ITTF said that Al game to a world-class position. improved table tennis’ sta- planned.” The ATP and WTA in late June. lately, many malicious. in Madrid. The two started Mohannadi will play a promi- The ITTF explained that Al tus globally, but now we have tours are set to resume next The couple had “Obviously there is some- training together Monday in nent role through his presence Mohannadi, with his great ex- an incredible opportunity to month, even though several been self isolating thing more than criticism, as Monte Carlo. in the board of directors of perience in the game, will con- achieve our ambitious goals for professional players have con- since returning to Bel- if there is an agenda, someone Zverev, 23, was lately criti- this international organisation tribute to the success of this idea the future,” he added. tracted COVID-19. grade from Croa- has to ‘fall’, a personality, a big cised for his participation at that will be chaired by Chinese after playing a prominent role “Al Mohannadi has achieved The US Open tia, where the name has to be the main culprit the ill-fated Adria Tour event Liu Guoliang in increasing the in the big shift of the ITTF dur- so much for our sport already will be the first second leg of for everything,” he said. by world number one Novak game’s investments and mar- ing the periods in which he took and it is fantastic news for the Grand Slam fol- his ill-fated Djokovic, and over a party vid- keting it better by introducing the position of vice president community that his rich expe- lowing the re- tourna- Zverev won’t play at eo, recording date unknown, strong competitions with large since 2014 until now and before rience and expertise will be uti- start, due to get ment was Berlin events, confirms appearing at a later stage financial rewards and returns in two previous sessions. lised for the benefit ofW TT. The underway be- held. coach Ferrer trial on social media. Zverev said from massive TV broadcasting Serving as a prominent future of table tennis is looking hind closed Novak Wednesday that his third test and corporate sponsors. member of the Executive Com- brighter than ever,” said ITTF doors in Djokovic. BERLIN: Germany tennis has returned negative like the Al Mohannadi and the staff mittee, he achieved great suc- President Thomas Weikert. New York star said on previous two. (DPA) Over 3500 participants successfully complete 8th season of Koora Time Award-winning healthy lifestyle initiative among youth through football across Qatar Tribune News Network Doha

2020 marked another year of achievements for the award- winning Koora Time pro- gramme – a joint initiative launched by Qatar Shell and Qatar Football Association (QFA) to engage with children by promoting a healthy life- style through football. Season 8 of Koora Time at- Koora Time programme is a joint initiative launched by Qatar Shell and Qatar Football Association to engage with children by promoting a healthy lifestyle through football. tracted over 3,500 youth, with girls accounting for 50 percent and coaches who completed our partners very proud of the of football training as children participants to finish learning year to organise a myriad of earned three internationally of participants, bringing the to- this challenging season. On the Koora time programme. acquire new skills, such as ball the Koora Time methodology, family-oriented activities at acclaimed awards, includ- tal number of children who ben- pitch and later through the vir- “Next season we will get handling, team play, and goal and to conclude season 8 of Katara Cultural Village on the ing its fourth Asian Football efitted from the initiative to over tual platform that was created back to training and have more scoring. The addition of a new the programme. occasion of National Sport Confederation (AFC) Dream 100,000 since the programme by the Koora Time partners, passion for football than ever, component, along with the ex- 729 new participants regis- Day. Reflecting the strength Asia Award, bringing the total was launched in 2013 in Qatar. allowing them to deal with the but for now, let us be extra care- isting ‘Healthy Living Method- tered in the Extra Time com- of their partnership, and their number of accolades won lo- Participants from 31 challenges of COVID-19 while ful and stay safe by enjoying the ology’, has helped further devel- petition, which covered the re- unwavering commitment to cally and internationally to 12. schools across the country had staying connected. A true re- exceptional virtual platform of op the sustainable Koora Time maining 20 hours of physical youth development in Qatar as Qatar Shell and its partners access to 35 venues, including flection of the KooraTime val- Koora time,” Al Kuwari added. initiative. activity as part of Season 8. part of our contribution to Qa- are currently readying to launch Aspire Academy’s state-of-the- ues we teach and practice. Best This year, Aspire Academy The lockdown measures Koora Time’s coaches en- tar National Vision 2030. season 9 of the initiative. Mean- art facilities, before the out- of all is that the participants are inked a three-year agreement that followed the COVID-19 gaged participants online, Since its launch in 2013, while, the Extra Time platform break of the novel coronavirus having fun all year round while with Qatar Shell to introduce the outbreak prompted Koora filming and sharing virtual Koora Time has transformed remains accessible for everyone (COVID-19) pandemic brought improving their health.” Football Skills Methodology, an Time to leverage its online plat- challenges through social me- the fitness and nutrition hab- in Qatar wishing to experience the world to a standstill and in- Khalid Al Kuwari, Market- 18-week programme specifically form to introduce its innovative dia to teach participants how its of children, with 95 per- football virtually, and to access terrupted the latest season. ing and Communications di- designed by Aspire Academy for virtual football challenge. to exercise and complete the cent of participants seeing a fitness and health tips, online Andrew Faulkner, Manag- rector of QFA, said: “No doubt kids joining at an entry-level. The initiative, launched challenges from home. reduction in their Body Mass games, and other activities to ing Director and Chairman of that we had an exceptional The new methodology follows through the online platform As part of the Koora Time Index (BMI) in recent years. stimulate a healthy lifestyle Qatar Shell, said: “I’m extreme- season despite the COVID-19 a gradual progression system Extra Time, provided access programme, Qatar Shell and In testament to its success while staying at home through: ly proud of the participants challenges that made us and by adding additional elements to fitness tips and enabled QFA teamed up earlier this in recent years, Koora Time http://kooratime.qa/extra/