If cricket is played in empty stadiums, so be it, says Stokes Wednesday, May 6, 2020 page 14 Aaron Ramsey first back at Juve training, Ronaldo in quarantine

AFP Milan Adel Khamis Welsh international Aaron Ramsey was the first Juven- Qatar 2022 tus player to return to indi- vidual training at the team’s ambassador sports centre in Turin on Tuesday as Cristiano Ronaldo began two weeks’ quarantine Adel Khamis after returning to Italy. Ronaldo flew back to tests positive northern Italy by private jet on Monday night after almost Tribune News Network two months in coronavirus Doha lockdown in his native Por- tugal. Juventus’ Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci, wearing a face mask, Retired Qatari midfielder Midfielder Ramsey joined gestures as he arrives in his car at the Juventus’ Continassa training Adel Khamis has tested posi- Juventus this season after ground in Turin. (AFP) tive for novel coronavirus. 11 years with Arsenal, and This was announced by the scored his fourth goal in their sports minister to demonise “There is no opposition Supreme Committee for De- last game against Inter Milan football,” he said. of mine, but the desire to livery & Legacy in a tweet. behind closed doors before “The majority of Italians evaluate the restart only if the Adel Khamis, 54, “was the championship was sus- do not welcome the resump- health of the people within the unfortunately diagnosed with pended on March 10. Juventus’ Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey arrives in his car at the Juventus’ Continassa training ground tion of the championship. team group is safeguarded. the novel coronavirus, COV- Champions Juventus are in Turin, Italy, on Tuesday. Juventus has recalled its 10 overseas players as Serie A clubs were given the “But I’m not looking at “If the government is ID-19,” the SC tweet said. leading Serie A, one point green light to return to individual training on Monday. Players returning from abroad are to follow a health polls at the moment. Football forced, I hope not, to establish “We wish a speedy to all ahead of Lazio, as they target protocol and then begin training at Continassa. (AFP) is an important world in this that there are no conditions those affected”, it added. a ninth consecutive Scudetto. country, I know it well com- (to resume), my effort will be Khamis is one of the pub- Captain Giorgio Chiellini has given the go-ahead for cenzo Spadafora warned that “A realistic prediction can pared to those who want to twofold -- limit the financial lic faces of the FIFA Worl followed shortly after Ram- players to return to club train- training in groups must wait be made in mid-May,” Spada- give a different message. damage to clubs and support Cup 2022 Qatar tournament sey, with fellow Italy defender ing facilities two weeks ahead until May 18, and it remains fora said in an interview with “I hope to start again, but the whole world of sport. along with fellow ambassa- Leonardo Bonucci, wearing a of schedule, offering a glim- uncertain whether matches Corriere della Sera on Tues- the government will decide. “Between ordinary and ex- dors Tim Cahill of Australia black face mask, arriving lat- mer of hope that the 2019-20 can restart as the country day, denying that he wanted We will rely on scientific el- traordinary resources, we will and Barcelona legend Xavi er in the afternoon. season might yet be saved. battles a pandemic which has to call a halt to the season. ements, which are not avail- invest about one billion euros Hernandez. Italy’s interior ministry But sports minister Vin- killed over 29,000. “It would be surreal for a able today. for the sector as a whole.” WTA chief backs Federer’s ATP merger suggestion Barcelona ready for tests as La AFP “I agree, and have been New York saying so since the early 1970s. Liga prepares for training return One voice, women and men to- The head of the WTA Tour has gether... Let’s make it happen,” AFP gramme for players to train ernment last week, which voiced support for a merger King tweeted. Madrid alone, then in small groups, allowed adults to exercise out- with the ATP Tour following “I completely agree that it before finally in larger team side on Saturday for the first calls led by Roger Federer and would be great to get out of this Barcelona have confirmed sessions. time in seven weeks. Rafael Nadal to integrate the world crisis with the union of their players will undergo Barcelona confirmed they In the fourth and final men’s and women’s circuits. men’s and women’s tennis in coronavirus tests on Wednes- had passed their inspection on phase, scheduled for early In an interview with the one only organization,” Nadal day as La Liga’s clubs begin Tuesday morning. “The first June, the government have New York Times published on added. restricted training ahead of the team will return to the train- said outside events can go Tuesday, WTA chief executive In his interview with the proposed resumption of the ing ground on Wednesday to ahead when attended by fewer Steve Simon said a unified cir- Times, Simon said that any season next month. do the relevant medical tests than 400 people. cuit made sense. unification was still some way Real Madrid and Atletico before starting solo training in La Liga is proposing to “I’m not afraid of the full in the distant future. Madrid are also scheduled to the coming days,” a club state- complete its season behind merger; I never have been,” Si- Swiss ATP star Roger Federer and US WTA star Serena Willams could However, the climate of un- carry out tests on Wednesday, ment read. closed doors, with games mon told the Times. be part of the same tennis circuit under a merger plan supported by certainty caused by the corona- with the plan for players to start “La Liga gave the green starting again in the middle “I would certainly be the WTA chief execuitve Steve Simon. (AFP) virus pandemic could provide working individually at training light to carry out these tests af- of June. first to support it ...O bviously the impetus to reach agree- grounds later this week. ter the inspection of the club’s “A staggered return to it’s a long and winding road to “Just wondering... am I the Federer’s statement drew ment on a merger. La Liga has been inspect- facilities was completed this training has been designed get there, but I think it makes only one thinking that now is enthusiastic support, with Na- Both the ATP and WTA ing facilities at every club to morning.” that will range from solo train- all the sense in the world.” the time for men’s and wom- dal and trailblazing women’s Tours have been forced to ensure they comply with strict La Liga’s timetable roughly ing to group exercise prior Simon’s remarks came after en’s tennis to be united and tennis legend Billie Jean King take cost-cutting measures medical protocol. corresponds to the four-phase to the return to competition Federer and Nadal voiced sup- come together as one?” Federer among those aligning with the since the COVID-19 pandemic Once approved, clubs de-escalation programme an- scheduled for June,” La Liga port for a merger last month. asked in a posting on Twitter. Swiss ace. erupted. can initiate the league’s pro- nounced by the Spanish gov- said in a statement Monday. No spitting, no fans: baseball restarts South Korea’s sports season

AFP worst early outbreaks of the disease Seoul outside China, prompting professional sports to suspend or delay their seasons. South Korea’s professional sport re- But the country appears to have turned to action after the coronavirus brought its outbreak under control shutdown with the opening of a new thanks to an extensive “trace, test and baseball season on Tuesday, while foot- treat” programme. ball and golf will soon follow suit in a The start-up will bring welcome live ray of hope for suspended competitions action in a barren sports world where worldwide. fans have had to make do with sports Friday will see the delayed start of channels and broadcasters airing repeats football’s K-League, and next week some of past events. of golf’s leading women players will tee The K-League, originally due to start up in a domestic tournament as South in February, will kick off Friday with Korea becomes a rare hotspot for live a blockbuster clash between Jeonbuk sport. Hyundai Motors, champions for the past SK Wyverns players wearing face masks watch the game from the Fans were not allowed in when any three seasons, against FA Cup winners dugout during the opening game against Hanwha Eagles for South of Tuesday’s five opening Korean Base- Suwon Bluewings. Korea’s new baseball season at Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon ball Organisation (KBO) matches saw And South Korea will next week be- on Tuesday. (AFP) the first pitches thrown, a marked con- come the first country to see women’s trast from the packed stadiums of previ- professional golf resume after COV- ous years when fans sang and cheered SK Wyverns infielder Jamie Romak (right) forces out Hanwha Eagles’ Ha Ju-suk at first ID-19. relentlessly no matter the score. base in the second inning during the opening game for South Korea’s new baseball South Korean players dominate Instead, banners with photos of season at Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon on Tuesday. (AFP) women’s golf with eight featuring in the masked fans stretched across the empty world’s top 20, including number one Ko bleachers at the Incheon-based SK Wy- doesn’t feel like the opening of a season while spitting is prohibited -- putting a Jin-young. verns club’s Munhak Baseball Stadium. at all. I’m watching baseball from home, new complexion on what is South Ko- The $1.8 million Korea Ladies Pro- Banners carrying messages for vic- hugging a pillow.” rea’s most popular spectator sport. fessional Golf Association (KLPGA) tory were also put up at the LG Twins At the stadium, strict health checks Championship begins on May 14 in club’s Jamsil derby in Seoul, saying: and hygiene measures were enforced. US tunes in Yangju, east of Seoul with world number “Even if we are apart, we are TWINS.” Players must have their temperature ESPN announced it will show six six Kim Sei-young and 10th-ranked Lee Fans were divided over the unprec- checked twice before games, with face KBO League games per week to fans Jeong-eun in the 144-strong field. edented format. masks to be worn in all areas except the pining for live baseball in the US, South Korea has been seeing only “Baseball is finally back! But I won- playing field and the dugouts, according while broadcasters in 10 foreign ter- a trickle of new coronavirus infections Cheerleaders pose in front of a big screen displaying baseball fans der when I can actually go to the stadi- to the KBO. ritories have snapped up rights to air in recent days, with three fresh cases cheering from their homes during the opening game of South Korea’s um,” tweeted one fan. Players have also been asked not K-League matches. reported on Tuesday taking the total new baseball season between the SK Wyverns and Hanwha Eagles at Another online user said: “This to shake hands or exchange high-fives, South Korea endured one of the to 10,804. Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon on Tuesday. (AFP) 12 Wednesday, May 6, 2020 Sports ‘Aspire Fellows Web Gathering’ connects international football elite virtually

Tribune News Network management and training meth- used the opportunity to give the Doha odology of youth football players participants, representing clubs in order to enhance their psycho- like FC Barcelona (Spain), AC Mi- Under the title “Aspire Fellows physical performance. lan (Italy), Ajax (Netherlands), Web Gathering”, Aspire Academy “We thought that it was a good AS Monaco (France), Manchester hosted an online presentation on opportunity to connect with each United (England) or LA Galaxy “Crisis and Uncertainty” on Mon- other during this challenging time (USA), an update on the upcoming day, that virtually gathered 93 peo- and the worldwide lockdown. And “Aspire Academy Global Summit” ple of 50 elite football clubs and the fact that so many people par- and the progress of the scientific federations from all over the world. ticipated was truly amazing”, said research project the clubs have The event was part of the “As- Valter Di Salvo, Director of Football been working on. pire in the World Fellows” pro- Performance & Science at Aspire Since 2014, the representa- gramme, that was launched by As- Academy and Executive Director of tives of this community have been pire Academy in 2014 and aims to “Aspire in the World Fellows”. exchanging their knowledge and embrace, gather and lead the best He stressed that despite the experiences through their online practitioners in football perfor- title, the presentation of Maria platform and gatherings such as mance to create a platform to gath- Ruiz, Head of Football Neurophys- the annual summits on “Football er and synergize the know-how of iologist at Aspire Academy, did Performance and Science” that has worldwide expertise. The aim is not specifically address the impact involved leading managers, coaches to offer recommendations for the of COVID-19. “Because in football and players such as Johan Cruyff, there are many things that can lead Roberto Mancini, Arrigo Sac- “Aspire Fellows Web Gathering” on to a crisis or to uncertainty and it’s chi, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas “Crisis and Uncertainty” virtually very important to be prepared for Tuchel, Marcelo Bielsa, Frank brought together 93 people of 50 elite these challenges and to know how Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, football clubs and federations from all to manage them successfully.” Patrick Kluivert , Xavi Hernandez, over the world on Monday. Furthermore, Valter Di Salvo and Andre Villas-Boas. Klopp discusses COVID-19, Liverpool and Mohamed Salah in exclusive interview Gareth Southgate’s squad have used match fees dating back to September 2018 to make the donation. (AFP) with beIN SPORTS England men’s team current situation after a fantastic run ment, so we have to deal with it like Jurgen Klopp makes his much-anticipated in the Premier League and the FIFA everyone else”. Club World Cup in Qatar – where his On Mohamed Salah and the strat- makes ‘significant return to beIN SPORTS in an exclusive team won in the final against Flamen- egy behind signing him from AS Roma, go, Klopp said: “In these times we are Klopp said: “Salah is an outstanding interview on Wednesday, May 6 at 22:30 Mecca dealing with a situation we never had talent and we saw that at Roma. I knew donation’ to NHS Time (GMT +3) on beIN SPORTS HD1 before so that’s not too nice but that’s him from the time he was at Basel and the world at the moment and I accept we played a friendly game and he was AFP Together via the #PlayersTo- it. On a personal level I am fine – fam- flying on the wing. He was nearly un- London gether initiative. Tribune News Network ed Salah to Liverpool. ily and friends are healthy so all good, stoppable but very young and thin “This contribution will be Doha On what he thinks about Messi, but we realised that we are in which is normal at that age, so we did The England men’s team have taken from a fund already set Ronaldo, Mbappe and Aguero and a difficult place at the mo- not really think about it at that time. made a “significant donation” aside to support a variety of Jurgen Klopp makes his much- if he would like to have one Jurgen continued, “Then we saw to the National Health Service worthy causes using all match anticipated return to beIN of them with Liver- him move to Chelsea before going to to help the fight against the fees collated since September SPORTS in an exclusive pool one day, Jur- Roma and I saw him play in a very coronavirus. 2018. We are also grateful to interview with the gen Klopp said: smart way with Eden Dzeko – as Gareth Southgate’s squad The FA for committing their global sports chan- “Look I cannot he does with Bobby Firmino have used match fees dating support to the #PlayersTo- nel. Scheduled to answer these here. So, we saw similar back to September 2018 to gether initiative for the fore- air on Wednes- kinds of ques- kind of players and knew make the donation. seeable future by helping to day, May 6 at tions without that it was possible to get The cash will go to NHS raise awareness and funds 22:30 Mecca Time creating head- him”. charities and the move comes to assist throughout the fight (GMT +3) on beIN Mohamed lines the next Jurgen Klopp is in conjunction with the ‘Play- against COVID-19 and beyond. SPORTS HD1, Salah day. I love them part of a long list of ers Together’ movement in- “This is in addition to the Klopp will discuss all and there is names from the volving Premier League stars senior women’s squad’s com- his adaptation to a few more footballing hall from a host of clubs. mitment to #PlayersTogether COVID-19, Moham- players out of fame who A players’ fund already as we stand united as England ed Salah, Liverpool’s there. They are have appeared exists to support a selection players behind the nation dur- success in the FIFA Club all exceptional as part of beIN of good causes, with a por- ing this crisis and our collec- World Cup in Qatar and much players”. SPORTS’ pre- tion now steered directly tive prayers and thoughts re- more. Jurgen Klopp’s Liver- mium guest list, towards the under pressure main with all those affected.” After his highly successful ap- pool were on an excep- including Arsene health service during the cor- The England Footballers pearance with beIN SPORTS along- tional run before the Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahi- onavirus pandemic. Foundation was set up in 2007 side Arsene Wenger during the FIFA Premier League was put movic, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel, A statement released on and was reported to have gen- Club World Cup, the Liverpool man- on hold due to the COV- Ruud Gullit, Marcel Desailly, Yaya the official England Twitter erated over £5 million in the ager takes part in an in-depth inter- ID-19 pandemic – with Toure, Nemanja Vidic, Wesley Snei- feed read: “Following positive subsequent decade. view with beIN SPORTS’ Mohammed Liverpool leading com- jder, Graeme Souness and others. discussions with The FA, the The current batch of Saadon al Kuwari to discuss exciting fortably with 82 points England senior men’s squad funds, from which the NHS topics including his personal opinion and Manchester City Coach Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were on are pleased to confirm that will benefit, covers all senior on players, his team’s success in last in second with 57. an exceptional run before the Premier a significant donation from men’s internationals since year’s UEFA Champions League and On how he is League was put on hold due to the their international match fees the 2018 World Cup, a total the strategy behind bringing Moham- adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. will be made to NHS Charities of 16 matches. Australia legend Tim Cahill to appear on Generation Amazing Live SC.qa emy, along with a schools This week’s Generation programme which provides Generation Amazing has Amazing Live schedule fea- Australia football legend free football training and has reached half a million tures an impressive line-up. Tim Cahill will become the already reached more than beneficiaries around the Along with sessions from the latest star to take part in 10,000 children. world since being Generation Amazing master Generation Amazing’s Ins- During the live stream, launched in 2009. The coaches, there will be an in- tagram Live sessions when Cahill will also discuss foot- programme aims to terview with Dutch footballer he appears on the broadcast ball for development, along reach 1 million Nigel De Jong, who currently this week. with his involvement with plays for Qatar Stars League Cahill, who appeared in Generation Amazing in his beneficiaries by 2022. team Al Shahania. There will four FIFA World Cups for the role as an SC ambassador. also be a story session from Socceroos, will share health Ahead of Cahill’s appear- an SC ambassador in Febru- Maktaba children’s library to and wellness tips on @GA4G- ance, Nasser al Khori, Gener- ary, Cahill took part in a Gen- mark Garangao – a tradition- ood on Wednesday, May 6 at ation Amazing Programmes eration Amazing activation al festival celebrated on the 8 PM Doha time (GMT+3). Director, said: “It’s so im- at Aspire Dome with local 14th day of Ramadan. Supreme Committee for portant to us at Generation schoolchildren. Cahill gave Generation Amazing has Delivery & Legacy (SC) am- Amazing that we not only a talk to the children before reached half a million benefi- bassador Cahill, Australia’s ensure the programme con- reading a book from his suc- ciaries around the world since record goal scorer, will tinues to impact the lives of cessful Tiny Timmy series. being launched in 2009. The share advice on how to keep people during this crucial pe- Generation Amazing’s programme aims to reach 1 fit during the COVID-19 riod, but also that we are able live sessions on social media million beneficiaries by 2022. pandemic – a time when to join forces with SC ambas- have allowed the programme Stay tuned to @GA4Good most people are staying at sadors, like Tim Cahill, who to interact and inspire its on Twitter, Instagram and home in order to prevent the strongly shares our vision for growing audience and stake- Facebook for the latest up- spread of the virus. using football to alleviate the holders during the ongoing dates on Generation Amaz- Following a 21-year play- stresses we face currently. pandemic. The streams have ing Live. Share your photos ing career, Cahill has gone Together, through the power helped share a number of key of you and your family en- on to launch a number of of football, we can share mes- messages, including about joying the live broadcasts, initiatives, including the Tim sages of solidarity and posi- inclusion, gender equality, tagging @GA4Good and us- Cahill Coaching Clinics, the tive affirmation.” leadership, communication ing the hashtag #GALive for Australia football legend Tim Cahill, who appeared in four FIFA World Cups, will share health and wellness Tim Cahill All-Star Acad- After being announced as and teamwork. a chance to be reposted. tips on @GA4Good on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 PM Doha time (GMT+3). Sports Wednesday, May 6, 2020 13 ECB may lose £389 QMMF to host second mn if entire season QORC event from Sunday is wiped out Agencies potential financial impact does LONDON require us to try, where it’s safe QMMF Executive Direc- to do so and with government Only 42 riders tor Amro al Hamad is pleased English cricket could lose as support, fill that hole. We are allowed to compete; to declare the details of the much as 380 million pounds if staring at a £100million-plus second QORC edition. “Once the entire season is wiped out loss this year, whatever hap- three races in the again the QMMF has taken a due to the COVID-19 pandem- pens,” Harrison said. qualifying stage great initiative to host a com- ic, ECB chief executive Tom The ECB has already cre- petition for the bike enthusi- Harrison has claimed. ated a 61 million pound res- and three in the asts. Under the current coro- The projected loss takes into cue package for the 18 county finals navirus pandemic, the online account the international as well sides and has been offering competition for us is the best as domestic games. The Eng- grants and loans to recrea- Tribune News Network way to engage the moto and land and Wales Cricket Board tional clubs, impacted by the DOHA auto-loving community. (ECB) had last week suspended outbreak. “The first QatarO nline county season until July, with “Cashflow is a verysignifi - The Qatar Motor and Motor- Racing Championship for nine rounds abandoned. cant issue which we’ve tried to cycle Federation (QMMF) will car drivers on GT sport last “We anticipate that with address as quickly as possible host the second edition of the QMMF Executive Director Amro month was a huge success. no cricket this year - as a through the stimulus package Qatar Online Racing Champi- al Hamad The second edition will cater worst-case scenario for our we’ve put into the professional onship for bike riders. to those who love motorbike planning purposes - that could game,” Harrison said. The first QORC for drivers and QR5,000 will be given racing. This will be a unique be as bad as £380million. That “We came into 2020 in was a big hit and a rich field away to the fifth best driver. competition as the Mo- would be the loss of 800 days the best financial state that of 45 competitors took part in Participants may choose toGP Esports event was also of cricket across all our profes- county cricket had been in the nine-race virtual challenge, any of the six bike manufac- launched last month in which sional clubs and the ECB as for several decades, frankly, with Ahmad Kholy bagging the turers that contested in the actual MotoGP riders took to well,” Harisson was quoted as and this has thrown that into overall title and the top prize. 2019 MotoGP season - Hon- the same race format we’ll be saying by the cricketer.com. some uncertainty. We will The bike online race series da, Yamaha, Ducati, Suzuki, using during this event. We “If you take all of that rev- continue to work with the will begin on Sunday. Only KTM and Aprilia. hope the second edition will enue and put it at risk, that is counties to make sure we get 42 riders, divided into three from each pool will qualify for The overall champion will be The race will begin at 9 also be very competitive and the worst-case scenario for us through this.” groups, can compete in the the finals, which be contested richer by QR15,000, while the pm due to the Holy Month thrilling,” Hamad added. this year. Unquestionably, for He also claimed that The race, to be run on the MotoGP over three races - May 17, May second-place finisher earns of Ramadan. One group will Entries opened on Tues- cricket it is the most signifi- Hundred, which has now been 19 PS4. After three qualifying 19 and May 21. QR13,000 and the third-place take about an hour to finish. day and will close the mo- cant financial challenge we’ve postponed to next year, was rounds on May 10, May 12 Top five riders with maxi- finisher gets RQ 10,000. The After a gap of half an hour, the ment 42 riders confirm their ever faced. expected to make a profit of 11 and May 14, four top riders mum points will be rewarded. four-place is worth QR6,000 next group will race. participation. “Our ability to mitigate the million pounds.

European Tour to launch BMW invitational virtual golf Badminton restart ‘difficult to predict’: BWF chief

Tribune News Network simulators, to keep their golf communities impacted by the around the world are being AFP “But at this point in time, it DOHA game sharp. coronavirus pandemic. forced to take a break, we Hong Kong is difficult to predict when in- The BMW Indoor Invi- Rufus Hack, the European are able to offer golf fans, as ternational movement and en- European Tour players, in- tational will enable them to Tour’s Chief Content Officer, well as the pros themselves, Badminton will be back in try restrictions will be lifted by cluding Martin Kaymer, Joost compete against each other, said: “While the absolute pri- a unique competition in the action “as soon as possible” individual countries and ter- Luiten, Mike Lorenzo Vera, giving golf fans the chance ority for all of us has been, and form of the BMW Indoor In- after the coronavirus crisis, ritories in order to guarantee Lee Westwood and Bernd to watch all the action on the continues to be, public health vitational powered by Track- the sport’s chief told AFP, add- that players, their entourage, Wiesberger, will go head-to- European Tour’s social media and well-being, we also recog- Man. We are looking forward ing that international travel officials and staff can partici- head from their own homes in channels using #BMWTrack- nise that golf fans are missing to the coming weeks, an in- restrictions were complicating pate in tournaments safely.” the BMW Indoor Invitational ManInvitational. Tournament watching the leading players novative format, and some the picture. The badminton circuit has been Badminton has already powered by TrackMan, a new footage will also be available compete. Hopefully, the BMW exciting digital content. BMW Badminton, like tennis, suspended since mid-March. (AFP) moved the Thomas and Uber series of virtual golf tourna- via https://bmw.trackmanin- Indoor Invitational powered enjoys long-term partnerships golf and other sports with an Cups, a highlight of the season, ments using the latest simula- vitational.com. by TrackMan can help fill the with TrackMan and the Eu- international circuit, faces soon. But he cautioned that the to later in the year, hoping that tor technology. The new series will con- void and provide our fans with ropean Tour and shares the major hurdles after countries situation remained fluid. the virus emergency will have With regular tournament sist of five one-round (18 hole) some entertainment across the aspiration to also drive golf introduced an array of travel “We are gearing up to be passed. action currently suspended due strokeplay tournaments played next five weeks whilst also ben- further with a digital format. bans and quarantine periods ready to start competition as The de facto men’s and to the ongoing global efforts virtually on some of Europe’s efitting charities or relief funds Together, we have managed to to combat COVID-19. soon as possible. This includes women’s world team champi- against the spread of the coro- most iconic golf courses. which have been so essential in create a new type of competi- Thomas Lund, secretary formulating a revamped BWF onships -- orginally scheduled navirus, many leading profes- Each tournament winner the battle against coronavirus.” tion, which features a host of general of the Badminton tournament calendar for 2020. for May, and then moved to sionals have been turning to so- will receive $10,000 towards Jorn Plinke, Head of BMW top players and, with the prize World Federation, said an An announcement on this will August -- are now set to take lutions at home, including the their chosen charity or relief Golfsport Marketing, said: “In money on offer, supports local announcement on a rejigged be made shortly,” Lund said in place in Aarhus, Denmark in latest TrackMan software and fund which has been helping a time when pro golf tours coronavirus initiatives.” 2020 calendar was expected a statement to AFP. October. Kookaburra to develop wax If cricket is played in empty stadiums, so be it: Stokes Tribune News Network land vs West Indies series at used to in-front of full crowd, to get cricket back on TVs, applicator to shine cricket ball DOHA home in empty stadiums will I don’t think it’s going to take and people, who follow and lose its sheen as the England that competitive side away,” watch. If that means playing AFP used when play resumes. The element of competitive- and Wales Cricket Board is Stokes told BBC Radio 5 Live. in-front of nobody then so be Sydney Kookaburra’s innovation ness will not be lost even if contemplating cricket without However, the England it,” he said. involves using a sponge to ap- action unfolds before empty spectators for some time, ac- all-rounder admitted that it However, he maintained Australian cricket ball ply small amounts of wax to stadiums, says world’s premier cording to rediff.com website. will take some time that safety and well-being of manufacturer Kookaburra is the ball. all-rounder Ben Stokes who “I don’t think so. Think to adjust to the pos- everyone remains a priority. developing a wax applicator Current laws forbid the use wouldn’t mind international about it, we are walking out sible scenario after “We are still not hundred that allows players to shine of artificial substances to alter cricket becoming a TV only to represent our country, being used to play- percent sure when that’s going the ball without using saliva or the ball but there is a long his- sport till coronavirus pandem- three lions on our chest ing in front of capac- to happen. Everybody’s con- sweat, minimising the risk of tory of tampering that goes ic is under control. and there is game that ity crowd. cern at the moment is safety COVID-19 transmission. “At Kookaburra we are well beyond bowlers spitting Stokes’ opinion was sought we are supposed to “Yeah, completely and well being of everybody,” Players regularly shine one committed to continuous on the ball and rubbing it on whether the upcoming Eng- win. So whether different scenario to he said. side of the leather-clad ball improvement and innova- their clothing. it is in front of get our heads around “Players and ECB are not and scuff up the other to make tion in the game we love,” Test players have been ac- nobody or that there isn’t go- going to push anything until the ball swing sideways in mid- general manager David cused of using lozenges, petro- like we ing to be the atmos- everybody is satisfied, without flight and deceive the batter. Orchard told AFP. leum jelly and resin to shine are phere or cheering being having to worry about But rubbing spit or sweat “As a result of the COV- the ball, and also scuffing it Yeah, completely different (of supporters) whether people are going to into the ball’s surface is ex- ID-19 pandemic we are always with bottle tops, trouser zip- scenario to get our heads when we play inter- be exposed or put in danger pressly forbidden under looking for solutions to allow pers and grit. around that there isn’t national games,” said to anything,” England’s World Australian Institute of Sport our game to be played safely The most notorious recent the 28-year-old Stokes, Cup hero said. guidelines released last week by all cricketing communities case was in 2018, when some going to be the who has played 63 Tests, “At the end of the day, that set out the conditions for around the world,” he said. Australian players attempted atmosphere or cheering 95 ODIs and 26 T20Is. cricket is just a sport and its the game to resume. Cricket is suspended to alter the ball with sand- (of supporters) when we For Stokes, cricket without the safety, health and well be- Kookaburra said its wax ap- around the globe because of paper during a Test against play international games any fans in the stadium is the ing of everybody involved, not plicator, while still in “very early the pandemic and the wax ap- South Africa in Cape Town, best option keeping the coro- just in the team but around stage product development”, plicator would need approval resulting in lengthy bans for Ben Stokes navirus pandemic in mind. cricket community is impor- could provide a solution. from governing bodies to be those involved. “We would do anything tant right now.” Durant may return to action this season, says Nets GM TCA/DPA 110-million-dollar question,” Durant was playing pickup he strained his calf. pectations in Year one of the New York Nets GM Sean Marks admit- basketball, and he was doing “When you’ve got enough Kevin Durant and Kyrie Ir- ted to Australian publication so at a high level. invested in a player like Kevin, ving era: Injuries kept Irving More than 300 days have Newshub. “In all serious- But the manner in which we’re never going to push him and Durant off the floor more passed since Kevin Durant rup- ness, we’ve tried not to talk Durant sustained his injury to come back,” Marks said. than on, chemistry became tured the Achilles tendon in his about his timeline a lot. shrouds a potential return “When the timing is right, an issue, Kenny Atkinson was right leg. Because it happened “He knows his body bet- this season in uncertainty. he’ll be 100 per cent when he dismissed as head coach and in last year’s NBA Finals, it ter than anybody. Our per- While he was a member of gets on the court. the Nets were on pace to fin- robbed Durant - and the Nets formance team and training the Warriors, Durant first “I can tell you this though ish this season with a record team he joined last summer - staff have done a tremendous suffered a severe calf strain - before the pandemic, he worse than last year’s. of his first season in Brooklyn. job getting him to this point, in Game 5 of the West- looked like Kevin Durant and Their woes have all been But the coronavirus pan- but I just don’t know how ern Conference Semifinals that’s a good thing.” There’s masked by the light at the demic has put this season on coming out of this pandemic against the Houston Rock- one takeaway from Marks’ end of the tunnel - the possi- hold with the NBA now ap- will affect anybody, let alone ets. The Warriors went on to interview with Newshub: It’s bility of a real championship proaching two months since Kevin.” Durant checked all win that series, then swept the first time he’s given an contender once Durant and its last basketball games the boxes in injury rehab. He the Portland Trail Blazers in answer other than “no” to Irving return healthy. were played. If the NBA sea- slowly progressed from being the conference finals, then the idea that Durant could For once, Marks hasn’t son resumes after its corona- unable to get lift on his shots, struggled in the NBA Finals return this season. His re- unequivocally ruled out the virus hiatus, be it in Disney to getting elevation, then against the Toronto Raptors. turn would add another level possibility of Durant touch- World or wherever the league more elevation with turna- Durant returned in Game of intrigue to a roller coaster ing the floor this season. The chooses, will Durant finally round jumpers. During the 5 of that series and ruptured ride of a season for the Nets. other side, of course, is that Kevin Durant of Brooklyn Nets: Recovering fast but still a long way to go. make his Nets debut? “It’s a Nets last road trip out west, the Achilles in the same leg Brooklyn fell short of ex- he hasn’t ruled it in.