SPORT SPORT | 05 SPORT | 06 JoshuaJo could Al Khelaifi set for fifight without TCR Europe SIM fans in first Racing virtual ttitle defence challenge

FRIDAY 1 MAY 2020 Qatar's World Cup stadiums taking shape

A photograph shows an aerial view of the under- construction Lusail Stadium, the largest of the eight ultra- modern venues which will host matches during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 80,000-capacity venue will host the opening and final matches of the showpiece event. RIGHT: A general aerial view of the 40,000-seat Al Thumama Stadium. Inspired by the ‘gahfiya’ headpiece worn by men in Qatar and across the MENA region, the brand new stadium is the first venue designed solely by a Qatari architect, Ibrahim Mohammed Jaidah. PICTURES : TWITTER / @ROADTO2022

FINAL TABLE RK TEAM POINTS PSG crowned champions as 1 Paris Saint-Germain 68 2 56 3 Stade Rennais 50 4 OSC 49 French season declared over 5 OGC Nice 41 AFP – PARIS 6 41 Brazilian defender 7 40 celebrates with the champion’s trophy Paris Saint-Germain were with team-mates after Paris Saint- 8 Montpellier HSC 40 named as Ligue 1 champions Germain won the French L1 title at the 9 AS Monaco 40 yesterday after ’s football We wish to dedicate this title Parc des Princes stadium in Paris in this league declared the corona- 10 RC Strasbourg Alsace 38 to all health workers and file photo taken on May 18, 2019. The virus-hit season over. football season in France was declared 11 Angers SCO 39 PSG led the table by 12 other everyday heroes whose over yesterday with Paris Saint- 12 Girondins de Bordeaux 37 points from Marseille when the commitment and self-sacrifice Germain being named as champions. 13 FC Nantes 37 season was suspended in mid- throughout these long weeks PSG topped the Ligue 1 table. March because of the Covid-19 deserve our admiration: PSG 14 Stade Brestois 34 outbreak, which has gone on to kill over 24,000 people in President Nasser Al Khelaifi 15 FC Metz 34 France. 16 Dijon FCO 30 The announcement by the 17 AS Saint-Etienne 30 LFP comes after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on 18 Nîmes Olympique 27 Tuesday that “professional 19 Amiens SC 23 sports leagues, notably football, 20 Toulouse FC 13 cannot restart” because of the pandemic. “There is no ambiguity about this declaration. We needed to RECENT TITLE make a final decision about this WINNERS season. We acknowledge that 2019-20 Paris St Germain the 2019-20 season is over,” said LFP president Nathalie Boy de 2018-19 Paris St Germain la Tour, in a conference call with 2017-18 Paris St Germain reporters. 2016-17 Monaco France becomes the biggest 2015-16 Paris St Germain European league yet to end its season, just as its neighbours in with an average of 2 points and “We understand, respect champions, and Lens coming up Saint-Etienne in the French Cup 2014-15 Paris St Germain , Germany, Italy and qualifying for the Champions and support the decisions taken from . final. If the games are eventually 2013-14 Paris St Germain Spain consider ways of League. by the French government to However, Toulouse have played, Lyon and Saint-Etienne 2012-13 Paris St Germain resuming matches. “We wish to dedicate this stop the season. Health, as the kept open the possibility that could qualify for the Europa Ruling out any possibility of title to all health workers and government has always said, they might now take legal action. League by winning. 2011-12 Montpellier copying the Netherlands, who other everyday heroes whose must be everyone’s priority,” The identity of the other Otherwise, Nice and Reims 2010-11 Lille voided their season without a commitment and self-sacrifice added Al Khelaifi, whose club European representatives would qualify by virtue of fin- 2009-10 Olympique de Marseille champion, relegation or pro- throughout these long weeks still hope to be able to continue depends on whether the finals ishing in fifth and sixth in the motion, the LFP arranged a final deserve our admiration,” said their Champions League cam- of the two domestic cups are league. 2008-09 Girondins Bordeaux table on the basis of average PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi paign having reached the ever played. Lyon -- seventh in the table 2007-08 Olympique Lyon points per game. in a statement. quarter-finals before action If the French government when the season was stopped 2006-07 Olympique Lyon Ten rounds of matches It is PSG’s ninth French title, stopped. and UEFA accept, both finals -- would otherwise miss out on 2005-06 Olympique Lyon remained when the campaign the seventh in eight seasons for Rennes finish third and also could be staged in early August European qualification for the was halted, although PSG and the Qatar-owned club being qualify for the Champions with European places still up for first time in over two decades. 2004-05 Olympique Lyon Strasbourg both had a game in awarded in unique circum- League, while fourth-placed grabs. Ironically, they were still 2003-04 Olympique Lyon hand. stances and with many of their Lille will play in the Europa The LFP then hopes to begin involved in this season’s Cham- 2002-03 Olympique Lyon As a result, PSG are cham- foreign players -- including League. next season by August 23 “at the pions League when it was sus- pions with an average of 2.52 -- having returned to Toulouse and Amiens, the latest”. pended, leading Juventus 1-0 2001-02 Olympique Lyon points per game, with Andre their home countries with bottom two, are condemned to PSG were due to play Lyon after the first leg of their last-16 2000-01 Nantes Villas-Boas’s Marseille second France under strict lockdown. relegation, with Lorient, as in the League Cup final and tie. Djokovic finds it tough to adjust to uncertainty

REUTERS – BELGRADE clear,” Djokovic told Sky Sport Djokovic was in imperious “Officially it (the restart) is the 2008 Australian Open. Italia. “Officially it is the 13th of form before the circuit came to a 13th of July but the WTA in “Against Juergen Melzerr World number one Novak July, many people say it is difficult halt. Canada (Rogers Cup) has already in Roland Garros, during thehe Djokovic said he initially we will start again on that day. The Serb lifted the ATP Cup been cancelled, although not the quarters, this defeat wasas Novak struggled to cope with the uncer- “For me it is important to with Serbia, won a record- men’s event,” Djokovic said. really difficult for me emo-o- Djokovic tainty surrounding when tennis have a routine, I cannot keep on extending eighth Australian Open “We need to see how the sit- tionally,” he said. can restart after its shutdown in waiting for that day. I train every title in Melbourne and then com- uation in the United States goes, “I cried a lot after thishis early March due to the novel day at the gym, I run at home, I pleted a fifth triumph at the Dubai because we are expected to go defeat because I had a coronavirus. play with my kids and this is also Tennis Championships, extending there in August. moment in my life, my career,reer, The sport is suspended till at hard work. his unbeaten run to 21. The steely-eyed Serb owns 17 when everything happeneded in least mid July due to the virus, “At the beginning I was men- The virus has forced the can- Grand Slam singles titles and is a fusion in which I really didid not which has infected more than 3.19 tally a bit empty and confused, cellation of this year’s Wimbledon just three behind Roger Federer’s see a reason to keep on playing,laying, million people and killed almost because (the timing) wasn’t clear. for the first time since World War record haul of 20 in men’s tennis. I wanted to quit tennis.” 227,000, according to a Reuters I talked with my team, I tried to Two while the French Open was Yet Djokovic said he considered Djokovic said the lossss to tally. train every day, even though I rescheduled for September 20 - quitting the sport in 2010 due to Melzer transformed him.. “For us tennis players it is didn’t follow the preparation October 4, shortly after the end the pressure of expectation, after “After that moment I feltelt important that the calendar is strictly.” of the US Open. winning his first major at the I was freed,” he said. FRIDAY 1 MAY 2020 SPORT 05

Inter Milan and Juventus players Colombian compete in an empty stadium due India football to the novel coronavirus outbreak league could during their Italian Serie A game in legend Chuni restart by Turin, in this March 8, 2020 file photo. Goswami August dies aged 82

REUTERS — LONDON AFP — NEW DELHI Professional football in Colombia could begin behind Indian football legend closed doors in August or Subimal ‘Chuni’ Goswami September if other countries (pictured below), who led have success in restarting their the country to an Asian own leagues, the country’s Games gold in 1962, died Sports Minister said yesterday. yesterday aged 82, the All Ernesto Lucena, who 24 India Football Federation hours before acknowledged said. the return of games played in Goswami -- who also front of fans was unlikely this played first-class year, said officials were eager for Bengal -- died in his to get matches going again hometown Kolkata, once health and safety guar- according to the antees are met amid the federation. COVID-19 pandemic. “Another legendary “The big question is when Serie A will comply should Indian footballer and a will the league start again and fine first class cricketer I don’t want to be irresponsible has left us today,” the gov- but I’d say we can restart in erning body’s president August or September,” Lucena govt end season, says chief Praful Patel wrote on told a Congressional com- Twitter. mission in Bogota. “Rest in eternal peace “We hope to watch the AFP — ROME Italy’s top flight, a majority of its clubs and the Italian Gravina estimates that Italian Shri. Chuni Goswami. My examples of the other leagues Football Federation (FIGC) have repeatedly insisted football would suffer losses of up heartfelt condolences to to see how they act and we can Serie A “will comply” with the that they want to finish the 2019-20 campaign but to $870m in the event of the his bereaved family.” follow their lead,” he said in Italian government’s decision Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora said the chances season being cancelled. Batting great Sunil quotes reported on RCN Radio. should it choose to end the of restarting were “increasingly narrow”. Yesterday, Spadafora told Gavaskar said his loss One option being con- current season due to the coro- public broadcaster RAI that the would be immense. sidered is playing the navirus pandemic, the league’s government would help “as “Today is a truly Serie A will hold an emergency general assembly remaining league games in just president said. much as is possible” to make depressing day. First (Bol- one or two cities. Italy’s top flight, a majority of today and the possibility of the season being ended sure that football’s finances are lywood star) Rishi His comments came a its clubs and the Italian Football is likely to be on the agenda following Spadafora’s “damaged as little as possible”, (Kapoor) and now Chuni week after Colombian pres- Federation (FIGC) have remarks. remarks which Dal Pino said he da have left us. Both ident Ivan Duque said even a repeatedly insisted that they want “appreciated”. champions and legends in return to games without spec- to finish the 2019-20 campaign The French football league their craft,” he said. tators was not viable due to the but on Wednesday Minister of legislation, great,” Dal Pino said. an emergency general assembly (LFP) formally ended its season “The world will be the large amount of testing that Sport Vincenzo Spadafora said “Otherwise we will rigor- today and the possibility of the on Thursday after the country’s poorer for their departure would be needed to protect the the chances of restarting were ously comply, as we have season being ended is likely to prime minister Edouard to the Heavens. RIP.” hundreds of support staff at “increasingly narrow”. always done, with the govern- be on the agenda following Philippe announced this week Goswami, who is sur- clubs and stadiums. And Paolo Dal Pino in a ment’s decision. The (sports) Spadafora’s remarks. that no professional football vived by his wife and a The South American nation statement said that Serie A ministry can be sure of our con- That’s despite FIGC pres- could be played in France until son, represented India on is holding a nationwide quar- would maintain a “constructive structive and collaborative ident Gabriele Gravina saying at least September. the football field in 50 antine until May 11 and has and collaborative” dialogue spirit.” a cancellation would be “the That made Ligue 1 the international matches -- suspended all public events, with the government after Serie A, which has been sus- death of Italian football” and second top league to end pre- 36 of them official -- including the main soccer weeks of hostility. pended since March 9 due to a that he would “never sign for maturely following the Dutch between 1956 to 1964. leagues for both men and “If it’s possible to do it pandemic that has killed around the end of the Eredivisie’s cancellation last After retiring from women. (restart) while respecting health 28,000 people in Italy, will hold championships”. week. football at the age of 27, Goswami turned his focus to cricket. He represented Bengal in 46 first-class games between 1962 and Spanish govt approves La Liga plan to test players 1973. The all-rounder cap- REUTERS — BARCELONA institutions in Spain, including tained the Bengal state the government’s department team in the 1971-72 Spain’s sports ministry for sport, have committed to season, leading them to yesterday approved La Liga’s completing the season. the Ranji Trophy final. plans for clubs to test their La Liga president Javier He was also a key part players for the coronavirus Tebas said not finishing the of the combined Central before they return to training season would lead to collective and East Zone team that as the league looks to restart the losses of up to $1.09bn. inflicted an innings defeat season in June after it was Meanwhile, Germany’s Bun- on Gary Sobers’ West suspended due to the COVID-19 desliga will need to wait Indies in 1966, taking pandemic. another week to find out about eight wickets in the game Athletes in Spain have been a possible restart after the gov- with his medium-pace forced to train at home since A file photo of La Liga ernment yesterday delayed any bowling. early March due to one of the match between Real decision for a possible league strictest lockdowns in Europe, Madrid and FC Barcelona resumption amid the COVID-19 but Prime Minister Pedro played in Madrid on pandemic. Sanchez announced they are March 2, 2019 . The cash-strapped clubs free to begin individual training and league had been hoping for at facilities from next Monday. the government to give the A meeting was held Madrid among others. The min- training in small groups of up completed, with 11 rounds of La green light and end a two- between the sport ministry and istry said medical staff at the to eight players while phase Liga and the Copa del Rey final month suspension but Chan- officials from La Liga, the clubs would be allowed to carry four refers to full group training yet to be played. cellor Angela Merkel told a Spanish football federation, the out the tests. Individual training which needs to last at least two While France announced news conference any decision Spanish Footballers’ Association is part of phase two of Spain’s weeks before action returns. the end of their season with on if and when sports activities Courtesy: IANS and top clubs such as Real de-escalation plan. Top flight matches will not Paris St Germain being awarded could resume would be taken Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Phase three involves return until phase four is the Ligue 1 title, all major sports on May 6. Player agents, In this file photo Joshua could fight without executives taken on March 11, 2020 an NBA logo is shown at fans in first title defence call for season the 5th Avenue cancellation NBA store in AP — LOS ANGELES of July 25 has been touted. because he doesn’t see how it New York City. Joshua wanted the first defense “does anything for the sport.” REUTERS — NEW YORK Anthony Joshua’s (pictured) of his belts to take place in “I want to build a fight camp, a first fight as the restored world London. different kind of environment, National Basketball Association heavyweight champion could Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s pro- more dramatic,” Hearn said in executives and player agents are take place in front of no spec- moter, said his Matchroom an interview with the BBC. calling on the league to cancel tators. Boxing organization was “It will look spectacular on the remainder of the 2019-20 British boxing’s governing planning to stage “two or three” TV. We need to dramatise it. season due to health concerns body told promoters yesterday Saturday fight nights in July “It’s about taking over a over the novel coronavirus it hopes to be able to have before returning with a bigger hotel, testing all the teams, cre- outbreak, CNBC reported shows back from July after show,show, provided boxing and ating a sterile fight camp where yesterday. months of inactivity because ooff otherother sports get the nono one goes in until we know Even as many states in the US have no desire to return now?” Despite the reservations, the coronavirus outbreak.break. go-ahead to they’vethey’ve had a negative test. It’s begin to ease stay-at-home because other sources of the NBA has given every indi- Initially, though,, Bouts are returnreturn frfromom thethe about creating changing restrictions and open up the revenue are down and despite cation it plans to complete the expected to be heldd without BritishB rit i s h roomroom areas, ring walks. It economy, cracks are beginning a massive media rights deal, current campaign. fans, meaning Joshua’shua’s fight government.government. willwill add to the story.” to show in the NBA’s resolve to teams are still reporting The league announced this against Kubrat Pulevv - the first HearnHearn sasaidid The British BoxingBoxing complete the campaign and losses. week it would soon unveil rule since the Briton regainedgained his he wouldn’twouldn’t BoardBoard ofof ControlControl saidsaid ifif crown a champion, according One person told CNBC a changes that will allow teams WBA, IBF and WBOO belts by wwantant to boxing was to return in to CNBC. western conference team has to open their practice facilities beating Andy Ruizuiz Jr. in stagestage a fight July, there would be an Talking to executives and already lost roughly $50m this for players to take part in December - would surely be ini n aann emphasisemphasis on “minimal agents, CNBC said team owners season and doesn’t have much treatment and limited switched from itss plannedplanned enclosed numbers” of officials and are concerned with liability incentive to restart the workouts. venue, the stadium of English locationlocation likelike a TVTV broadcastbroadcast personnel.personnel. issues and are conflicted about campaign. There is no set date for soccer club Tottenhamham whichwhich studiostudio MedicMedicalal ststaffaff wwereere whether or not to give up on the “What (owners) are saying when facilities can open, can hold more thanan 60,00060,000 required at ringside, current season. is, ’If we return, where is the though the league advised spectators. too. The NBA and National Bas- revenue that is going to justify teams that it is targeting no The Joshua-Pulevv fight had ketball Players Association the additional cost of earlier than May 8. been scheduled for JuneJune 20 (NBAPA) has agreed to withhold returning?’,” one team exec- The NBA was the first of before being pushedd back 25% of players’ pay starting next utive said. North America’s major sports to an as-yet-unconfirmedrmed month. “They are looking at the to suspend play after a Utah date because of thethe With that issue resolved CNBC cost side versus the revenue Jazz player tested positive for pandemic. reported that many owners side. What revenue comes in the coronavirus on March 11. A rearranged datee 06 SPORT FRIDAY 1 MAY 2020 Lausanne Diamond League organisers seek ‘other options’

AFP – LAUSANNE

The Lausanne Diamond League meeting will not take place on August 20 because of restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic but organisers said yesterday they were looking at “other options”. The meeting director told AFP he instead hoped to hold a joint Swiss event with the Zurich Weltklasse, one of the Diamond League’s traditional highlights that is scheduled to take place on Sep- tember 11. “With a heavy heart we have had to Al Khelaifi set for TCR Europe take the decision to not go ahead with the Athletissima on August 20,” organ- isers said in a statement. They said it was “impossible to allow a large number of people to gather in a SIM Racing virtual challenge restricted space before the end of August”. But they said they were looking at “which alternatives and which formats THE PENINSULA – DOHA TCR Facebook page, TCR could still be possible to give athletes the Europe Facebook page, TCR possibility of competition”. The reigning Qatar Touring Youtube channel, and The meeting director, Pierre Tenger, Car Champion Abdulla Al delayed on TCR Twitch said while he hoped to hold a meeting in Khelaifi will be racing in the channel. cooperation with the Zurich event, the first ever TCR Europe SIM The scoring system will format “had not yet been decided”. Racing virtual series follow that of the real cham- The Diamond League season, which tomorrow. pionship, awarding points to had been due to start in Doha on April 17, A total of 25 recognised the top 10 in the Qualifying has been heavily affected by the drivers, mostly from Europe (from 10 to 1) and the topp pandemic. are set to compete in the fifteen in each race (from(from Meetings in June in the US city of series which flags off at a 40 to 11).). Eugene and in Paris have already been virtual circuit of After Spa,Spa, the series postponed. The next meeting on the Spa-Francorchamps. willwill racerace at RedRed BullBull circuit due to take place is in London on Al Khelaifi, who raced at Ring (May 13), Hunga-Hunga- July 4. the TCR Europe Series last roringroring ((MayMay 2727),), Le CasCas-- season, will switch his gears tellettellet (Ju(JuneJ ne 1010),), ZoZolderlder to a digital platform this time (June(J 24), MonzaMonza (Ju(Julyly 8) in a SEAT Leon Cupra TCR and Barcelona (July UK Athletics gives under the colours of Qatar 22).22) Motor and Motorcycling UKAD full report Federation (QMMF). The championship is Qatar Online Racing Cham- will see competitorstitors sittinsittingg into handling of strictly for drivers who have pionship, organised by the in the simulator fforor a twenty- raced in the TCR Europe last QMMF. The event was also minute Qualifyinging session season and those who have conducted on a virtual and two back-to-backto-back Salazar issue newly registered for the Circuit de Spa-Francor- races of eight laps 2020 season. champs track. each. The grid off tthehe REUTERS – LONDON Among Khelaifi’s oppo- All drivers, from home, second race willl be nents at the virtual series will be steering digital cars based on the finalinal UK Athletics (UKA) has submitted to UK will be top drivers such as in their actual liveries and results of Racee 1 Anti-Doping (UKAD) the complete report the 2018 European representing eight different with the top 122 in into the way it handled matters champion Mikel Azcona, brands, while the new reversed order. surrounding its relationship with banned Niels Langeveld and Kevin CUPRA Leon Competitición All action willill be running coach Alberto Salazar, the Ceccon. TCR will be available from streamed livelive governing body said. Khelaifi finished third in one of the next events. tomorrow, fromm 20:00 UKAD Chief Executive Nicole Sap- Abdulla Al Khelaifi the recently concluded The format of the series (Qatar time) onn TCR TV, stead last month criticised UKA for pro- viding an edited summary of the original independent review that was conducted in 2015 by a Performance Oversight New Zealand Committee. France to end local rugby season That 130-page report into how UKA expect 'close' handled its relationship with Salazar, who AFP – PARIS It now looks likely the French ran the Nike Oregon Project which was vote after domestic season will end without home to British four-times Olympic French rugby authorities and club pres- a champion being declared and champion Mo Farah between 2011 and backing Pichot idents yesterday reached an agreement without relegation or promotion. 2017, found the board had changed its to cancel the current domestic season stance. REUTERS – WELLINGTON due to the coronavirus pandemic and Salazar was banned from athletics for concentrate on ensuring the 2020-2021 four years in October after being found New Zealand Rugby boss Brett campaign starts in September. guilty of doping violations following an Impey confirmed yesterday his France’s National Rugby League investigation by the US Anti-Doping governing body has voted for (LNR) said that after discussions with Agency. Agustin Pichot in World the presidents of top-flight Top 14 and He has denied any wrongdoing and Rugby’s election for the chair- Pro D2 clubs it had abandoned plans to appealed to the Court of Arbitration for manship and said he expected hold a final phase of matches at the end Sport against his ban. a “close” race between the of August. The American had worked as a con- Argentine and incumbent Bill “We propose to declare that this sultant to UKA’s endurance programme A man wearing a face mask looks at the National Beaumont. 2019-2020 season is at an end and in 2013 after helping Farah to win the Rugby League logo at the association’s headquarters World Rugby vice- focus on organising the launch of the 5,000m and 10,000m at the London 2012 in Paris yesterday. chairman Pichot has already 2020-2021 editions of the two cham- Olympics. been endorsed by Australia, pionships from September 2020,” the Farah, who returned home to England and South Africa is expected to LNR said in a statement. they were not keen on being awarded yesterday that it was a “huge shame” in late 2017, has never failed a drugs test fall in line behind the former The season was halted in mid- the title in such circumstances. that the season would be cancelled. and has not been accused of any Pumas skipper as part of the March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Deciding who takes part in “It is a terrible blow not to see our wrongdoing. southern hemisphere’s which has killed over 24,000 people in European competitions looks set to be immense work and investment justly SANZAAR bloc. France. complicated. rewarded at the end of the season with The northern hemisphere’s The decision to end it still needs to Defending French champions Tou- a third semi-final in a row,” said Six Nations unions are expected be rubber-stamped by the league’s louse, who sit seventh in the current Roubert, whose team were second in Latvian Olympic to vote unanimously for Eng- steering committee on a date that will table, suggested allowing eight teams the Top 14 before the season was lishman Beaumont’s re-election be announced in the coming days. rather than six to qualify for the cancelled. champion Lusis for a second four-year term. French Prime Minister Edouard European Champions Cup. “That loss of the chance to bring the Impey said New Zealand Philippe announced earlier this week But the tournament organiser shield home will be hard to take.” Well- were backing Pichot in the that professional sport could not take (EPCR), according to several sources, financed Paris-based club Stade passes away hope for change after a prom- place until September in the country. does not want to change the format of Francais were bottom of the Top 14 at ising campaign for a unified It now looks likely the season will its flagship competition. the time the season was stopped and REUTERS – RIGA global calendar was thwarted end without a champion being declared Another option could be for the their general manager Thomas by northern hemisphere and without relegation or promotion. teams placed fifth to eighth -- La Lombard fears financial difficulties Latvia’s former Olympic javelin champion nations that shot down a pro- Bordeaux-Begles were eight points Rochelle, Clermont, Toulouse and without matches. Janis Lusis has died of cancer at the age posal for the 12-team Nations clear in the Top 14 standings with nine Montpellier -- to compete in The league hopes to start its new of 80, the global governing body of Championship last year. regular-season games left to play. play-offs. season, which already promises to be athletics said in a statement. “We have felt dissatis- Bordeaux hinted last month that Lyon President Yann Roubert said a busy one, on September 5. Lusis, who competed in four Olympic faction over the lack of Games between 1964 and 1976 repre- progress over the last few years senting the Soviet Union, won a bronze over a range of issues, whether medal in Tokyo 1964 before clinching they be the Nations Champi- gold in Mexico City four years later. onship, emerging nations, New Zealand Rugby warns of 70% hit to revenue Considered one of the greatest javelin issues around eligibility, rule throwers of all time, Lusis earned a full changes,” NZR chairman REUTERS – WELLINGTON Zealand. “At NZ Rugby we The All Blacks’ two-test With 2019 a World Cup set of Olympic medals by winning the Impey, who is also the are forecasting up to a 70% series against and year, NZR had budgeted for silver in the Munich Games in 1972. chairman of SANZAAR, told New Zealand Rugby (NZR) decline in revenue,” she told one-off test against Scotland an NZ$11.8m loss from a He also won four European titles and reporters. faces a 70% decline in reporters. scheduled in July are also reduced international pro- set two world records - 91.98m in 1968 “While we’ve got great revenue in 2020 amid a The shutdown to contain expected to be postponed or gramme but said strong and 93.80m in 1972 - during an interna- respect for Bill Beaumont as an global shutdown of sport due the coronavirus has frozen cancelled, which would results from sponsorship and tional career that spanned 15 years, fol- individual, this has become an to the coronavirus, officials all rugby in New Zealand, deliver a further hit to NZR’s licensing had helped mitigate lowing which he worked as a coach and issue where there has been a said yesterday. idling hundreds of staff and finances. the damage. Revenue of official in Latvia. lot of self-protection from NZR Chief Financial players in the country’s five NZR’s gloomy revenue NZ$187m in 2019 was down A four-times European champion, existing players versus those of Officer Nicki Nicol said in a teams that compete in Super forecast came after reporting 1% on the previous year but Lusis set two world records in his 15-year us, particularly the SANZAAR video conference the coro- Rugby along with sides from a better-than-expected represented a 40% increase international career and in 2014 was nations, who want to see the navirus had affected all Australia, South Africa, NZ$7.4m ($4.53m) loss in compared to the previous inducted into the Hall of Fame by the game grow. That’s why we areas of the game in New Argentina and Japan. 2019. World Cup year in 2015. International Association of Athletics Fed- have supported (Pichot).” erations - now World Athletics. FRIDAY 1 MAY 2020 SPORT 07 ECB pushes inaugural 'Hitman' Sharma: India's white ball back to 2021 specialist turns 33 IANS - MUMBAI REUTERS - LONDON competition, saying it has the potential to help cricket recover The launch of The Hundred was from the financial impact of the The smiling face of daughter Samaira running into his arms postponed until 2021 yesterday pandemic that has cut off cash coupled with the warmth sprayed around the house by wife as the coronavirus pandemic flows. Ritika would have greeted India’s modern day cricketing great forced the England and Wales The 18 first-class counties Rohit Sharma (pictured) -- lifting the pall of gloom around due Cricket Board (ECB) to put its were due to each receive 1.3 to testing times -- as the ‘Hitman’ turned 33 yesterday. new limited overs experiment million pounds each from The Wishes kept pouring in from the cricket fraternity as India’s on hold. Hundred. limited overs vice-captain and one of the most destructive The innovative franchise- “As we emerge from the openers in the game, Rohit, celebrated an unusual birthday based league, including an fallout of COVID-19, there will locked up in his Mumbai residence with wife and daughter, far American sports-style draft and be an even greater need for The away from the razzmatazz of the Indian (IPL) featuring eight city-based men’s Hundred,” he said. where he is the most successful captain, leading Mumbai Indians and women’s with names such “Our survival as a game, to four titles. as , Manchester long-term, will be dependent “As the clock strikes 12, we wish our Captain - our Leader Originals and , on our ability to recover finan- more boundaries, more sixes, more runs, more records and was scheduled to begin in cially and continue our many more trophies Paltan, send out your wishes with #Hit- mid-July. ambition to build on cricket’s manDay #HappyBirthdayRohit #OneFamily @ImRo45,” Mumbai Last week the ECB extended growing fan base. Indians said in a Twitter post, when the clock struck the suspension of all profes- "That need has not gone midnight. sional until anyway, if anything, it is now The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) too posted July 1. more critical.” a video on Twitter, remembering Rohit’s debut in Test cricket. “The situation we find our- According to the ECB, more “Happy Birthday, Hitman, On @ImRo45’s special day, here is a selves in as a country means than 180,000 tickets had been recap of The Hitman show in whites. This one was in one of his that delivery of The Hundred sold for matches scheduled in favourite hunting grounds - Kolkata,” read the post. will not be possible this 2020, all of which will be “Happy birthday to Rohit Sharma, a master of the pull shot,” summer,” ECB Chief Executive refunded. the International Cricket Council (ICC) wrote on their Twitter Officer Tom Harrison said in a balls and no more than 20 balls Running costs for the inau- The domestic cricket cal- handle. statement. per game. gural season have risen to a endar in England has been India head coach Ravi Shastri added: “Happy Birthday, Shar- “Whilst we are naturally The ECB has invested reported £35m ($43.69m) severely impacted by the coro- maaaa! Have a great year ahead. Here’s wishing you and your disappointed that we won’t get heavily in The Hundred, a com- before factoring in lucrative navirus crisis. family health and happiness. God bless.” to realise our ambitions this petition it believes will attract player payments. England’s three-match India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane tweeted: “Wishing year, The Hundred will go a younger audience to the sport. A home broadcasting deal home Test series against West you a very happy birthday Ro! Hope Samaira is keeping you ahead in 2021 when we are The organisation said with is worth £36.5m Indies scheduled for June and busy at home with all her love and cuteness... Best wishes always!” safely able to deliver everything staging it without fans would but it was likely the competition the women’s T20I and ODI Calling him the best white-ball cricketer in the world, former we intended to help grow the have directly contradicted its would initially run at a loss, matches against India in June India opener Gautam Gambhir tweeted: “Happy Birthday to the game. goals. prompting criticism and even and July will also be moved. best white ball cricketer in the world @ImRo45! Have a great Matches would have com- Critics have suggested The an inquiry by the Department Nine rounds of the English year ahead!!” prised 100 balls per innings Hundred’s costs were prohib- for Digital, Culture, Media and will be Rohit’s long-time opening partner Shikhar Dhawan said in with a change of ends after 10 itive and that it would detract Sport (DCMS). lost while the T20 Blast, which a Twitter message: “Happy birthday partner @ImRo45, hope deliveries. from the already-popular T20 Despite the delay, however, was due to start on May 28, will you keep striking the ball out of the ground as clean as a shooting Bowlers would deliver Blast -- a competition involving Harrison says the ECB remains be pushed as late in the season star.” either five or 10 consecutive every first class county. firmly committed to the as possible. Mayank Agarwal, Rohit’s Test opening partner, also wished him with a picture of when Rohit guided him to his first Test hundred. “ThrowbackThrowback to this special moment with @@ImRo45 as he New Zealand Moeen eager for ‘fresh start’rt’ guidedguided me to mmyy first Test hundred. HappyHappy Birthday,Birthda Rohit! Can’t waitwait to recreate tthis!,”his!,” MayanMayankk wrote on his batsman TwitterTwitter handle. “Wish“W you a very Nicholls after ending Test exile happyhappy birthday @ AFP - LONDON of cricket is likelylikely to ImRo45ImRo bro, hope donates see spectatorsrs banned you haveha a great year Moeen Ali (pictured) is from venues on hhealthealth fullfull ooff hhappiness, fun World Cup keen to make a “fresh grounds. and ggoodood health,” wrote start” and regain his place “We playedyed in thethe TestT est specialist final shirt in England’s Test side PSL the last twotwo or CheteshwarCheteshwa Pujara on his after ending his self- three gamess withwith TwitterTwitter handle.han REUTERS - WELLINGTON imposed exile from the no one in the ccrowdrowd Former India pacer five-day game. and it was soo bad,”bad,” RudraRudra Pratap SinghS capped it The off-spinning all- he said. offoff well, by tweeting:tw “The New Zealand batsman rounder was dropped by “It’s differentferent wonderwonder kidkid hashas now become Henry Nicholls will donate England following a poor and it’s not qquiteuite a lelegend!”gend!” the shirt he wore in the display in last year’s the same. It feltelt liklikee SinceSi making his heart-stopping final of last Ashes opener and then those warm-upm-up debutdeb in 2007, year’s World Cup in lost his England central games you play Rohit’sRoh career sky- England to help raise fund contract. before a big series.series. rocketedrock after he for the battle against the Moeen then decided to take defeats but he stressed his “It’s not ideal. Nott eve-eve- waswas asked to open COVID-19, media reports a break from Test cricket that mood was now far more pos- rybody wants to play in an forfor IndIndia in the 2013 said yesterday. saw him miss series in New itive after a break from Test empty stadium. But iitt wiwillll ChampChampionsion Trophy. In The 28-year-old will Zealand and South Africa. duty. probably have to bee the 224 ODIODI matches, RohitR has 9,115 donate the half-sleeve shirt, He also made himself una- “I absolutely love Test case for a while.” runsruns at 49.2749.27 withwith 2929 hundreds and signed by his team mates, vailable for this year’s tour of cricket and I just almost had a Meanwhile Mooen,n, who 4343 fifties.fifties. He hashas playedpla 108 T20Is to the local chapter of Sri Lanka, cut short before the fresh start and that’s hopefully has been “ticking over”over” scoringscoring 2,773 runs at 32.623 with four United Nations’ children’s internationals by the corona- what has happened over the playing cricket with his six-six- tons aandnd 21 halfhalf centuries.centu fund UNICEF, the Stuff virus, even though he’d taken last year or so, it’s probably year-old son in an outdoortdoor net In Tests, RohitRohit hasha 2,141 runs at website reported. 18 wickets at an impressive made me a better bowler. It’s in the garden, saidd players 46.5446.54 withwith ssixix hhundredsun and 10 “...everything that hap- average of 24.5 during Eng- put me in a better mindset. needed to be sensitiveive to the fifties.fifties. pened at the World Cup last land’s last visit to the island 18 “I don’t want to keep going impact of COVID-19, whichwhich has “Rohit is thethe only player to year, that’s a pretty mem- months ago. on about it now, I just want to already caused thousandsusands ofof havehav e recordedrec more orable experience,” But now, with 181 wickets move forward and try to enjoy deaths in Britain alone,ne, as well thanth one ODI Nicholls, New Zealand’s in 60 Tests behind him, Moeen my cricket again.” as their own health fears,ars, when doubledo century, topscorer in that tied final is ready to fight for his place in Moeen, a member of Eng- it came to talk of startingarting the havingha passed which ended with England Joe Root’s XI once again despite land’s victorious 2019 World season. thethe 200-mark on declared winners on the competition from the likes Cup squad, continued to play “With so many peopleople dyindyingg threethre separate count, told the of fellow spinners Jack Leach limited overs internationals around the world -- aandnd in tthishis occasions.occa His 264 website. and Dom Bess. during his Test absence. country in particular -- it’s dif-dif- againstagain Sri Lanka in “I thought I could put “For sure if I got the call He also featured in the ficult for the playerss to really NovemberNove 2014 that shirt up as a bit of an tomorrow to play I would def- recent switch on,” the Worcestershireestershire givesgives hhim the record incentive for people to initely put my hand up,” Moeen before the pandemic cut short star explained. forfor hhighestigh individual donate.” told reporters via video link his stint in that event. “At the momentt it’sit’s too scorescore in theth format, com- Anyone who donates by yesterday. His final few PSL games early. Hopefully sportt will be fortablyfortably aheadahe of second- Monday, irrespective of “I will be available to play were played behind closed back on soon but whenn thethe placedplaced MartinMarti Guptill, who amount, will enter a draw any cricket now. I still back doors. time is right, everyonene scoredscored 237 notno out against and the owner will get the myself to get back into the side It was not an experience he is safe and the WestW Indies dduringu the 2015 shirt. at some stage.” enjoyed but with the start of the players don’t feel WorldW Cup,”Cup,” ICC saids in a tribute “For me I wanted to go Moeen, 32, had previously English season delayed until like they’re going to Rohit’sRohit’s ODIODI dominanced in away from the auction sort spoken of how he felt he’d been July 1, it may be one Moeen has out to play and theyy numbers.numbers. of thing, where the highest made a scapegoat for England to repeat given any resumption might get it.” bidder wins it,” the top order batsman said yesterday. “I wanted to make it a bit more inclusive and Playing without fans will be deja vu for Rahane anyone can donate five or 10 dollars and go into the draw to win it. REUTERS - NEW DELHI everyone that unexpected things can the players’ desperation to get on with the “It all adds up. A lot of happen,” Rahane said in an Instagram Live game. families and everyone in Playing cricket without crowds, should the session with the franchise’s official handle. “When there’s simply nobody there, all New Zealand is really need arise, would not be a totally new expe- “As for IPL or any other sport, I feel it could you hear is the crack of a cricket bat...but feeling the pinch. It’s a rience for any international player who has be played without spectators. All of us have you have to adapt,” Williamson said after small little thing and hope- risen through the ranks, according to India played domestic cricket in almost empty being adjudged men’s ODI player-of-the- fully it can make a big Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane stadiums, so that’s an experience all crick- year at New Zealand Cricket’s annual difference.” (pictured). eters are used to. awards yesterday. Earlier this month, Playing behind closed doors has been “We are nothing without our fans, and Williamson gained first-hand expe- England wicketkeeper Jos suggested as one way to resume professional that’s why their safety is of utmost impor- rience of playing behind closed doors in a Buttler raised £65,100 cricket, which has been suspended over the tance. Even if they get to watch some live Sydney one-dayer last month before New ($81,518) for two hospitals coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions action from home, I am sure that will be an Zealand’s tour of Australia was cut short by in London by auctioning the it has forced around the world. enjoyable experience as well,” said the the pandemic. shirt he wore in the same Among the tournaments affected is this 31-year-old. “The safety of fans is key, and “When something is taken away from final at Lord’s. year’s (IPL), which if we need to play in empty stadiums for you, often you’re more than happy to com- “It just felt like a good was scheduled to begin on March 29 but has that, we are open to do it.” promise in ways just to try and get back to thing to do and a great way been postponed indefinitely, delaying Playing in empty stadiums will never some sort of normality and do what you to help,” Buttler said. Rahane’s debut season for Delhi Capitals. feel the same, but New Zealand captain love doing, and for us that’s being out there “COVID-19 pandemic has taught Kane Williamson said he could understand and playing cricket.”