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Wednesday, March 31, 2021 CRICKET Sha’aban 18, 1442 AH New Zealand seal GULF TIMES Bangladesh series with 28-run win SPORT Page 4 HE Sheikh Joaan meets British ambassador to Qatar SPOTLIGHT Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum organises Sports Values Forum

QNA He added that 3-2-1 QOSM Doha is an example of the role of Qa- tar Museums in developing, sustaining and strengthening a he 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic cultural infrastructure in Qatar, and Sports Museum (3- making it a vital centre for arts, 2-1 QOSM) organised on culture and education in the Monday the fi rst Sport Middle East and the world, not- TValues Forum under the theme ing that the Museum will show ‘Comparing the Past to the Fu- the world the close connection ture’, in partnership with sev- between Qatar and the world of eral organisations, including the sports, and will feature interac- Ministry of Culture and Sports, tive exhibition spaces and inspi- Qatar University, Aspire Acad- rational collections. emy, Qatar Olympic Committee Al-Namla said that the fi rst and the Olympic Academy. edition of the Sport Values Fo- The Forum aims at promot- rum highlights topics related ing a culture of sports ethics and to sports and Olympic values introducing them to the most throughout history, such as ex- important international sport- cellence, respect and friendship, ing moments throughout history, with a special focus on the Arab spreading knowledge and infor- and Islamic identity. mation on Olympic and sports During the fi rst session of the values, and strengthening the Forum, Director of Youth Aff airs relations and interdependence Department at the Ministry of between sporting institutions in Culture and Sports Maha Issa Qatar. Speaking at the opening al-Rumaihi gave a presenta- of the Forum, HE the Minister tion on building the youth and of Culture and Sports Salah bin the community through sport, Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali high- highlighting the role of youth in lighted the importance of sports building the society, the role of in Qatar because of its signifi - sports in empowering and de- cance in building human aware- veloping the youth, the interest HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), yesterday met Jonathan Paul Wilkes, ambassador of the United Kingdom to Qatar. ness to be qualifi ed for con- of US Sustainable Development During the meeting, HE Sheikh Joaan praised the bilateral relations between Qatar and Britain and the existing co-operation between them. Various aspects of sports structive work, and its ability to Plan in sports and youth, and co-operation between the two countries were also reviewed during the meeting, which was also attended by HE Jassim bin Rashid al-Buainain, Secretary General of QOC. strengthen community cohesion the areas in which the practice among all groups and achieve of youth and sport contributed psychological and mental immu- to development, and youth par- nity for everyone. Her explained ticipation in the youth clubs and FOOTBALL that sport has many social and centres in the country. cultural dimension in Qatar, es- For his part, Director of Qatar pecially when it relates to the Olympic and Sports Museum youth, rather than being just an Abdullah Yousef al-Mulla pre- activity that maintains the body sented an overview of the Muse- and the mind. um, its objectives and divisions, HE the Minister noted the im- and the Sports Museum Library. portance of values which stem Meanwhile, President of Qa- Aguero starts long from correct perceptions en- tar Women’s Sports Committee couraging for the community’s (QWSC) Lolwa Hussein al-Marri creative abilities, noting that discussed Qatar’s focus toward promoting these values is one of women’s sport, which has wit- the goals of sports in the society. nessed a great development over He added that ethics in the the past years, noting the Com- contemporary world are extend- mittee’s support to a number ed to many areas such as elec- of sporting programmes in the farewell at Man City tronic communication, freedom, country. The second session of criticism and expression, all of the Forum discussed a number of Aguero has won four league titles, with a fifth looking almost certain this season which young people can learn topics, including the relationship when they join sports clubs, between sport and disability, AFP fi nish to secure a 3-2 victory against QPR noting the keenness of the Min- Olympic values, governance be- London and send the Etihad into raptures. There istry of Culture and Sports on tween the past and the present, is even a 93:20 lounge at the stadium in empowering the youth and giv- and the role of media in promot- a nod to the timing of Aguero’s dramatic ing them the right to participate ing sport values. ergio Aguero, who will always be title-clinching winner. in the electoral process within The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and associated with a single gilded The Argentine became the club’s record clubs, which is subject to values Sports Museum, which will open moment in Manchester City’s goalscorer when he overtook Eric Brook’s and urges young people to take at Khalifa International Stadium history, is starting his long good- 78-year landmark in 2017 and is now far responsibility. later this year, is the fi rst muse- byeS from the club with his position secure out on his own. He is the highest-scoring CEO of Qatar Museums Ahmad um in the Middle East dedicated as one of the Premier League’s all-time overseas player in Premier League his- Musa al-Namla said that Qatar to displaying sporting achieve- greats. Fans in the blue half of Manches- tory and is fourth on the all-time Premier Olympic and Sports Museum of- ments. In order to encourage ter are coming to terms with the impend- League goalscoring list, with 181 goals. fers a wonderful journey through physical education activities ing departure of the 32-year-old striker, Aguero’s problems with injuries and the history of sports from its in- and achieve wellness for all, the who will leave when his contract expires illness this season mean he has made just ception until the modern era, as Museum uses the most innova- at the end of the season. 14 appearances and he has scored just Qatar is preparing to welcome tive technology to organise rich Aguero joined City from Atletico Ma- three times. But former City defender visitors from diff erent parts of exhibitions narrating the history drid in 2011, three years after the club was Micah Richards, who won the title along- the world during its hosting of of sport in Qatar and around the taken over by Abu Dhabi owners, and will side Aguero in the 2011/12 season — be- the 2022 FIFA World Cup. world. leave after 10 trophy-laden years as the lieves the Argentine still has a lot to off er. club’s record goalscorer, with 257 goals in “Unless you get (Kylian) Mbappe, 384 games so far. (Erling) Haaland or (Harry) Kane, what “When a cycle comes to an end, many striker are you going to get to replace sensations arise,” the Argentine wrote Sergio Aguero will leave Manchester City after 10 trophy-laden years as the club’s him? You get another year out of him,” on Twitter. “A huge sense of satisfaction record goalscorer, with 257 goals in 384 games so far. (Reuters) Richards told the BBC. and pride remains in me for having played City have been linked with a move for with Manchester City for a whole 10 sea- stated,” said al-Mubarak. “His legend will contract but the player himself is ada- Borussia Dortmund hotshot Haaland, sons — unusual for a professional player be indelibly etched into the memories of mant he is far from fi nished, saying he who is one of the most coveted players in this day and age.” everyone who loves the club and maybe is ready to face his new challenge with in world football, and Kane could be an- Aguero has won four Premier League even in those who simply love football.” “passion and professionalism”. other option. titles, with a fi fth looking almost cer- Teammate Kevin De Bruyne hailed him Even nine years after the event, it is im- Aguero himself is adamant his depar- tain this season for City. Pep Guardiola’s as a “City legend forever” while City de- possible to separate Aguero from the goal ture does not mean the end of the story side also remain in the hunt for a his- fender Aymeric Laporte described him as that forever earned his place in the hearts for him personally. Barcelona are report- toric quadruple. City chairman Khaldoon a “class act” on and off the pitch. Aguero of City fans. ed to be potential suitors and the Argen- al-Mubarak has revealed a statue of the has struggled with injuries since having Manchester United were seconds away tine has also been linked with Paris Saint- striker has been commissioned to stand knee surgery in the close season. A ham- from celebrating yet another Premier Germain, Juventus and Inter Milan. City, alongside those currently being made to string problem complicated his come- League title, prolonging the agony of their for their part, hope to have thousands of honour Aguero’s former teammates Dav- back and then he had to sit out a month neighbours, who had not been crowned fans back in their stadium as Covid-19 id Silva and Vincent Kompany. after a coronavirus infection. English champions since 1968. But Ague- restrictions are eased — in time to say “Sergio’s contribution to Manchester Those factors will have played a part ro had other ideas, receiving the ball from farewell to Aguero and give a fi tting send- City over the last 10 years cannot be over- in City’s decision not to off er him a new Mario Balotelli and thundering home a off to one of their true greats. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, March 31, 2021 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS No fans allowed for remaining matches of QNB Stars League Doha: The Qatar Stars League the statement added. (QSL) has announced fans will The QSL also announced not be allowed to attend the the venues and kick-off times remaining matches of the QNB for the last three weeks (20, 21 Shaw admits letting Stars League, which will resume and 22) of 2020-21 season QNB this Saturday with round 20 Stars League. All six Week 20 matches. matches will be played on one QSL said in a statement: day (3rd April, 2021) due to the “Following the latest develop- international commitments and ments and decisions taken by hectic schedule in the month the Supreme Committee for of April, most notably the 2021 Southgate down Crisis Management and Minis- AFC Champions League. Week try of Public Health to contain 21 games will be played on 6th the coronavirus pandemic and and 7th April, 2021, and Week in order to preserve the health 22 fixtures will be held on 9th and safety of everyone during and 10th April, 2021. this period, the QSL decided The following have also not to allow fans to attend the been taken into consideration: over withdrawals remaining matches of 2020-21 Starting from Week 20 on- season QSL.” wards, summer kick-off times “It may be noted that the will come into force. The ven- ‘I can’t stop thinking of the mistakes that I made in the past, especially with England’ QSL is following the latest de- ues will be kept ready to host velopments and co-ordinating more than one fixture on match with the authorities concerned days, in co-ordination with the to take appropriate decisions,” authorities concerned.

FOCUS UEFA set to approve new Champions League format at April meeting

AFP Lausanne

n offi cial announce- ment on planned radical changes to the format of the UEFA Champi- onsA League from 2024 onwards is set to be made on April 19, Eu- ropean football’s governing body said yesterday. Last week European Leagues, a body representing the interests of clubs and leagues in 30 coun- tries across the continent, said UEFA would make a decision on mat, consisting of eight groups the expected changes at a meet- of four teams, will be completely ing today. UEFA confi rmed it shaken up. In its place, UEFA is will discuss plans at this week’s expected to introduce a single meeting of its executive commit- pool and a format known as the tee but will wait for the next one ‘Swiss system’, which will see before fi nalising the changes. teams playing 10 games instead “The future of club compe- of the current six. England’s Luke Shaw (left) vies for the ball with Albania’s Elseid Hisaj during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match in Tirana on Sunday. (AFP) titions post-2024 will be one No team will face anyone else of the topics discussed,” UEFA more than once in a system more By David Hytner tenegro in March 2019. On both occa- mentally I wasn’t right. prove to him that I’m diff erent and I want said in a statement. “However, commonly used in chess. The The Guardian sions, he then started for United in their “It was just pulling out when I got to to be part of this squad. “I tried to keep in any offi cial decision in this re- teams fi nishing in the top eight next fi xture. Shaw had pulled out of other the camp. I massively regretted doing touch with him just to let him know that spect will only be made at the positions of the single pool will England squads before then. that. Playing for your country is a mas- things had changed. He’s said he’s picked next UEFA executive committee advance to the last 16, with the uke Shaw has talked about the When Southgate overlooked him for sive privilege and an honour and I think me on merit. The past is the past and meeting on April 19, in order to bottom 12 eliminated. deep sense of regret he carried the Nations League fi nals in June 2019, at times I took advantage of that. I didn’t hopefully we’ve forgotten about that now fi nalise ongoing discussions.” Meanwhile, the sides fi nish- for more than two years at let- the manager pointedly said that Ben really think about it too much.” and can just focus on the future.” The April 19 meeting is also set ing between ninth and 24th place ting down Gareth Southgate as he Chilwell and Danny Rose – the left-backs Shaw had a hard time under José Mour- Shaw said that he knew of his recall to see UEFA confi rm how it will will go on to play two-legged Lvowed to make the most of his fresh start he did select – had “been completely inho at United, although the manager did “maybe a week before” it was announced organise the delayed Euro 2020, play-off ties to decide the fi - with England. committed to the England shirt over the pick him regularly from the beginning of because Southgate had told Solskjaer and which is due to go ahead in 12 cit- nal eight slots in the knockout The Manchester United left-back, who last period of time.” the 2018-19 season until he was sacked “Ole was really happy for me so he told ies spread across the continent phase. The knock-out stages played in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying Shaw said: “I’ve a few massive re- just before Christmas. Shaw, whose for- me really early.” but could be modifi ed depending will then proceed in the same win against Albania in Tirana on Sunday, grets and I couldn’t stop thinking of the tunes have picked up under Mourinho’s Shaw added: “We’d had a few family on what venues allow spectators manner as now, but the changes said he had shown a lack of respect at be- mistakes that I made in the past, espe- successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, was discussions and we thought that maybe I to attend games during the Cov- will mean a large increase in the ing called up in the past, which he put cially with England. I pulled out of a lot asked whether his England withdrawals wouldn’t be able to get back in, although id-19 pandemic. number of matches played, with down in part to psychological diffi culties. of camps. Over the last two years I’ve were down to him wanting to ensure that deep down I always believed that I could. However, the Champions a team reaching the fi nal playing Shaw’s previous cap for England had thought about it so much and, of course, he was fi t for his club. It was just a general discussion around League changes – which are ex- a minimum of 17 matches com- been in the 2-1 Nations League defeat letting Gareth down. “I did have problems at the time, as in the time some of the camps were getting pected to be radical – will domi- pared to 13 in the present format. to Spain in September 2018, after which “The last time I played was Spain. I injuries, but maybe they were ones that chosen. My mum and dad were thinking nate discussions. The changes The consequences are a huge Southgate picked him in his next three wasn’t playing much for my club then could have been dealt with,” he said. that that might be it for England but my are expected to increase the increase in the overall number squads. But after joining up, Shaw would and it showed that he still very much “There was a lot on my mind, especially girlfriend was diff erent. She always be- number of clubs involved in the of games played, from 125 to 225, cite injury as he withdrew from two of trusted me. Maybe the camps after … in times I had at United. People obviously lieved that I would fi ght my way back in. group stage from the current 32 with the total number of group- them – against Croatia and Spain in Oc- my biggest regrets were just pulling out, know what was going on. But Gareth has I’ve done that and I’m just really happy to to 36. stage matches jumping from 96 tober 2018 and Czech Republic and Mon- and how I pulled out. Maybe at the time, given me another chance and I need to be back.” The existing group-stage for- to 180.

SPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE Bayern’s Lewandowski out for four weeks, Germany rest Neuer, Gundogan to miss Champions League tie against PSG set to take over captaincy

AFP AFP Berlin Berlin

obert Lewandowski will miss ermany goalkeeper both legs of holders Bayern Mu- Manuel Neuer will sit nich’s Champions League quarter- out of today’s World fi nal against Paris Saint-Germain Cup qualifi er against afterR being ruled out for nearly a month GNorth Macedonia with Man- with a knee injury, the Bundesliga giants chester City midfi elder Ilkay said yesterday. “The striker will be out for Gundogan set to take over as around four weeks”, Bayern said in a state- captain. “Manuel Neuer will stay ment, confi rming Lewandowski injured lig- with the team even though he’s aments in his right knee after scoring twice not playing. Ilkay Gundogan will in Poland’s 3-0 win over Andorra on Sunday be captain if he starts,” Germany in World Cup qualifying. head coach Joachim Loew said. The 32-year-old will also miss Saturday’s Germany have won their top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash at sec- Group J qualifi ers against Iceland ond-placed RB Leipzig, with leaders Bayern and Romania with Loew target- four points clear. Lewandowski is also out of ing a hat-trick of wins in Duis- Poland’s qualifi er against England at Wem- sports director Markus Kroesche said before took more coronavirus tests. Unfortunately, burg. With Neuer rested, Bar- bley today. Lewandowski’s diagnosis. “Basically, you the results were positive for Grzegorz Kry- celona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen Bayern host PSG in the last-eight fi rst leg don’t wish an injury on anyone, but it is al- chowiak and Kamil Piatkowski,” football will make his fi rst Germany ap- fi er before thumping minnows of teams Germany will face at the on April 7, before visiting the Parc des Princ- ready the case that we are concentrating on association spokesman Jakub Kwiatkowski pearance since November 2019. Liechtenstein 5-0 on Saturday at Euro 2020 fi nals. es for the return game on April 13. Without our own performance.” said on Twitter. Having named unchanged home in Skopje. While Loew in- He knows the ‘Mannschaft’ Lewandowski, Bayern’s reserve striker Eric Lewandowski, voted FIFA’s best male Kwiatkowski, who said he himself had starting sides for the win over sists the Germans are not taking have “not yet been challenged”, Maxim Choupo-Moting or Germany winger player of 2020, has scored a total of 42 goals also tested positive, said the Polish football Iceland and Sunday’s 1-0 vic- their opponents lighty, he wants three months before the start Serge Gnabry could play up front. in 36 games this season for Bayern. association was speaking to UEFA to request tory in Bucharest, Loew is look- to keep the visitors goalless as of the European champion- The Poland international has netted 35 authorisation for Krychowiak to play con- ing at his options. Chelsea striker Germany seek three straight ship where they will meet world goals in 25 league games this season to leave TWO MORE POLAND PLAYERS sidering he has already had coronavirus. Timo Werner may start after two clean sheets for the fi rst time in champions France and holders him close to Gerd Mueller’s record of 40 in a POSITIVE FOR COVID Midfi elder Mateusz Klich and backup appearances off the bench while four years. Portugal. Before their open- single Bundesliga season. Even in Lewand- Two more Poland players have tested posi- goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski tested positive Moenchengladbach midfi elder Leverkusen teen Florian Wirtz, ing game at the Euro against owski’s absence, RB Leipzig insisted they tive for Covid-19 bringing the total to four, last week. has seen a sharp rise in coronavi- Florian Neuhaus is pushing for a 17, could make his debut after two France on June 15, Germany plan will not take Bayern lightly. the Polish Football Association said yester- rus infections in the last few weeks and cur- place in the starting side. games on the bench. Loew ad- to face Denmark on June 2 and “Bayern will have a strong team on the day, on the eve of a 2022 World Cup qualifi er rently has one of the world’s highest conta- North Macedonia lost 3-2 to mits Iceland, Romania and North Latvia fi ve days later in warm-up pitch – even without Lewandowski,” Leipzig against England. “Poland’s national team gion rates per capita. Romania in their opening quali- Macedonia are “not the calibre” matches. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 31, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Moriyasu hails Japan’s ruthless streak aft er Mauritania, Ethiopia, record rout

Chiba, Japan: Japan man- ager Hajime Moriyasu hailed his team’s ruthless streak after thrashing Mongolia 14-0 yesterday for their biggest- Guinea Bissau qualify ever World Cup qualifying win. Japan, who are looking to reach their seventh World Cup in a row at Qatar in 2022, scored five first-half goals to take complete control of the game against the hapless for Africa Cup of Nations Mongolians. But the Blue Samurai Madagascar needed maximum points to overtake Ethiopia in Group K, but were held 0-0 by Niger refused to take their foot off the gas, notching another AFP after 16 minutes to give Malawi a 1-0 nine after the break to set a Johannesburg Group B victory over Uganda on Mon- new qualifying record and day, and qualifi cation for the Africa Cup finish just one goal short of of Nations. The 27-year-old forward their all-time biggest win. auritania won and Ethiopia headed powerfully past Uganda goal- “You could see from the score were trailing in an aban- keeper Denis Onyango off a cross from that the two teams were at a doned match as they se- former Atletico Madrid youth squad diff erent level, but it wasn’t cured places yesterday at member Robin Ngalande. about our opponents — it Mthe 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, raising Victory temporarily took Malawi to was about how to keep our the number of qualifi ers to 21 for the 24- the top of the table with 10 points — concentration going into the team tournament. they were overtaken three hours later match,” said Moriyasu, whose Guinea Bissau also qualifi ed after a when fellow qualifi ers Burkina Faso team has won all five of its 3-0 win over Congo to catapult above defeated South Sudan 1-0 in Ouaga- qualifiers so far, scoring 26 them into second place in Group I. They dougou. Aston Villa forward Bertrand goals and conceding none. had to win the game while their visitors Traore scored the Burkinabe goal on 50 “We prepared well and we needed only draw but Piqueti scored in minutes as the team fi nished unbeaten kept pushing ourselves and the last minute of the fi rst half and Fre- a six-match qualifying campaign span- never let up,” he added. deric Mendy and Jorginho Intima added ning 17 months. Japan had not played a two more after the break to see Guinea Popularly known as the Flames, Ma- World Cup qualifier since Bissau to a third successive fi nals. lawi are ranked 123rd in the world, 40 November 2019 because of Ethiopia were losing 3-1 to already- places below Uganda, and will be mak- the coronavirus pandemic. qualifi ed Ivory Coast in Abidjan after ing a third appearance at the fi nals af- But they showed no signs of 80 minutes when the Ghanaian referee ter fi rst-round exits from the 1984 and rustiness as Southampton collapsed and the visiting team refused 2010 editions. forward Takumi Minamino to continue under the fourth offi cial, The match in Blantyre was the only gave them the lead in the 13th an Ivorian. The Ivorian was a late pre- one of eight staged Monday that in- minute, before goals from match replacement after the original volved qualifi cation, with just pride at Yuya Osako, Daichi Kamada, referee from Ghana withdrew, leading stake in the others. Joint leading Pre- Hidemasa Morita and a Mon- to his compatriot being promoted from mier League scorer Mohamed Salah of golian own goal put Japan fourth offi cial to match referee. Liverpool scored twice as Egypt netted five ahead at half-time. Referee Charles Bulu received treat- four times in 10 minutes during the fi rst Osako made it six 10 min- ment at the national stadium before be- half to hammer the Comoros 4-0 in utes after the restart, before ing taken to hospital. His condition was Cairo and top Group G. substitute Sho Inagaki scored not immediately known. Madagascar Kenya claimed a fi rst win in the same on his debut. Two goals needed maximum points to overtake section with goals from Hassan Abdal- from Junya Ito and one from Ethiopia in Group K, but the Indian lah and Masoud Juma, off a penalty, Kyogo Furuhashi then sent Ocean side were held 0-0 by Niger in delivering a 2-1 win in Togo. Captain Japan into double figures. Fu- Toamasina. Riyad Mahrez scored as Group H table- ruhashi scored again to break In Abidjan, the Ivorians quickly built toppers Algeria fi nished with a 5-0 rout Japan’s previous biggest a two-goal advantage as Willy Boly of Botswana in Blida, which stretched score in World Cup qualifying, scored and Franck Kessie converted a an unbeaten record in competitive and before a late flurry of goals — penalty. Getaneh Kebede halved the friendly matches to 24. including Osako’s third of the defi cit on 74 minutes only for Jean Zimbabwe, the other qualifi ers from evening — put an emphatic Kouassi to score a third goal for the Ivo- the section, fell 2-0 to neighbours Zam- full stop on the victory. ry Coast almost immediately. bia in Harare with Patson Daka netting “It’s good that lots of dif- Madagascar, who surprisingly twice to become the leading scorer in ferent players scored and reached the Cup of Nations quarter- qualifying with fi ve goals. that the players who should fi nals when they debuted two years Both Group D qualifi ers lost with score, such as Osako, did ago, attacked relentlessly but could not Gabon beaten 2-0 by Angola in Luanda score,” said Japan captain break down Niger, who conceded six and the Gambia going down 1-0 to the Maya Yoshida. “That was the goals when the sides last met. Ethiopia’s Surafel Mengistu (centre) hits a scissor kick during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ivory Democratic Republic of Congo in Kin- biggest thing to take from An Aboubakar Kamara goal in fi rst- Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Anyama, Ivory Coast, yesterday. (AFP) shasa. tonight.” half stoppage time earned Mauritania a Manuel ‘Show’ Cafumana and Loide The game was played 1-0 victory over the Central African Re- African national team competition for and Benin (Group L) and Cape Verde, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Augusto scored to end a fi ve-match behind closed doors in Japan public in Bangui and the second quali- the Mauritanians, who are coached by Rwanda and Mozambique (Group F) in Coast, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, winless run by Angola in the group despite Mongolia being the fying place in Group E behind Morocco. Frenchman Corentin Martins. contention. Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe while Kazadi Kasengu was the Congo- home team, due to virus It will be the second successive ap- The remaining two places will be Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, are the other qualifi ers. lese match-winner, converting a pen- restrictions. pearance at the fi nals of the premier fi lled late last night with, Sierra Leone Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, On Monday, Richard Mbulu scored alty on the stroke of half-time.

FOCUS WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Ronaldo’s castaway armband to be Mitrovic leads Serbia to win at Azerbaijan

Reuters auctioned to help suff ering baby Baku

AFP Belgrade erbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic com- pleted a perfect week for the striker in World Cup qualifying with two he captain’s armband more goals to help the Balkan nation that Cristiano Ronaldo toS a 2-1 win at Azerbaijan yesterday and pro- fl ung to the ground in visionally kept them top of Group A. Tdisgust after Portugal The result left Serbia on seven points were controversially denied a from three games, three ahead of Portu- late winner at the weekend in the gal who were visiting Luxembourg late last World Cup qualifi er against Ser- night. Third-placed Luxembourg have three bia was put on auction yesterday points from one game, while Ireland and Az- in a bid to help a sick child. erbaijan have none from two. With the scores level at 2-2 in The brace took Mitrovic’s tally to fi ve Belgrade, Ronaldo thought he goals in Serbia’s opening three qualifi ers for had scored the crucial goal in the 2022 tournament in Qatar and also ex- stoppage time when the ball ap- tended his all-time leading scoring record peared to cross the goalline be- for his country to 41 goals in 64 appearances. fore Stefan Mitrovic cleared. But Mitrovic, who has struggled at Premier without technology in use, the League side Fulham in recent months, fi red goal was not awarded. the Serbians ahead in the 16th minute with A fuming Ronaldo was booked a scorching low shot from 15 metres after he for his protests and at the fi nal took a fi ne pass by captain Dusan Tadic into Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic (left) celebrates after scoring against Azerbaijan during the whistle, as he stormed from the his stride. Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajko- World Cup qualifiers in Baku yesterday. (Reuters) pitch, he threw his captain’s arm- vic denied the home side an equaliser when band to the ground. One of the he thwarted Ali Ghorbani in the 30th minute fi elder sent Rajkovic the wrong way with a goal of the highest quality. stewards at the stadium picked it after some sloppy defending by the visitors, coolly taken spot-kick. It looked like Serbia Mitrovic let a through ball come onto his up and immediately contacted a who were punished on the hour as they con- would not fi nd a winner after home keeper weaker left foot before he unleashed a rasp- regional sports channel with the ceded a clumsy penalty. Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev kept out a ing volley from 16 metres into the bottom idea of auctioning it for charity. A fuming Cristiano Ronaldo stormed from the pitch as he threw his Filip Kostic clattered into Emin Makhmu- Mitrovic sitter in the 74th minute but the left corner in the 81st minute, with Mago- The man, who requested ano- captain’s armband to the ground after Portugal were controversially dov just inside the area and the Azeri mid- 26-year-old Serb had the last laugh with a medaliyev clutching thin air. nymity, said he suggested rais- denied a late winner in the World Cup qualifier against Serbia. (AFP) ing funds required to treat a six-month-old baby, Gavrilo sation and put Ronaldo’s arm- ma, also known as the “world’s BOTTOMLINE Djurdjevic, who is suff ering from band up for a bidding contest most expensive drug”, which a rare disease. “He (Ronaldo) on auctioning website Limundo. would cost more than 2mn eu- threw the armband three metres com. “I hope we will be able to ros ($2.35mn). Fundraising away from me, and the idea im- reach Ronaldo himself... so we campaigns to help children suf- No team suff ers more without fans than Liverpool: Salah mediately occurred to me that could help Gavrilo as much as we fering from SMA have recently ondon: Liverpool striker Mohamed six games at Anfi eld in their worst ever run feat, the injury also stunting his World Cup this (sale) could be a good op- can,” Branislav Jocic, social me- taken the poor Balkan country Salah says his side will miss the lack of home results. campaign with Egypt. But he said he did not portunity,” the man told AFP by dia manager of Sportklub said. by storm, raising the required of supporters more than Real Madrid “We lose so much without our fans, I think see the coming match as a chance for re- phone. “I realised we had some The infant is suff ering from amounts for fi ve babies last year in their Champions League quarter- we are the team that suff ers the most with- venge. attention and could do some- spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), alone. Lfi nal tie, adding he no longer bears a grudge out its supporters,” Salah told Spanish news- “Let’s say I have a special desire to win the thing nice for Gavrilo”, he added. which aff ects about one in 10,000 Only hours after being put on against Sergio Ramos for injuring him in paper Marca ahead of his side’s fi rst leg at the game and to qualify for the semi-fi nal, what- After the sports channel births, and results in death or the auction, yesterday afternoon, the the 2018 fi nal. Liverpool and Real have both Alfredo di Stefano stadium on April 6. ever happens now is not going to change the Sportklub verifi ed the item’s need for permanent ventilation armband had reached the price experienced poor home results since coro- Salah will have bad memories of his last result of Kiev. It’s over,” he said. authenticity by checking post- by the age of two in 90% of cases. of 360,000 dinars (around 3,000 navirus restrictions prevented fans from at- meeting with Real Madrid at the Champi- Salah has scored 119 goals in four seasons match photos and videos, they His hope is pinned on a one- euros) – donations can also be tending matches. But the Reds’ decline has ons League fi nal in Kiev, when he injured his for Liverpool but recognised he was not al- teamed up with a charity organi- time gene treatment Zolgens- made direct to the charity. been the most remarkable, losing their last shoulder in a clash with Ramos in the 3-1 de- ways so prolifi c. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, March 31, 2021 CRICKET

FOCUS Mumbai Indians hard to beat: NZ seal Bangladesh T20 Gavaskar Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said that Mumbai Indians (MI) are the favourites to win the Indian Premier League this season as well. MI are the two-time defending champions and have a very strong series with 28-run win team that comprises heavyweight Indian and international players. “I think Mumbai Indians will be ‘IT’S BEEN A GREAT SUMMER TO BE PART OF SO IT’D BE GOOD TO FINISH IT ON THE RIGHT NOTE’ hard to beat. We have seen their players coming to form. Ishan AFP Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, the Napier way they batted. Mumbai Indian players, who took part in this T20I series and ODI series [vs England], ew Zealand downed have shown they are in good Bangladesh by 28 runs form,” Gavaskar said while speak- in a rain-aff ected sec- ing on Star Sports. ond Twenty20 Inter- While their bowling line-up is Nnational in Napier yesterday to spearheaded by India’s Jasprit secure the three-match series Bumrah and New Zealand’s Tent and complete a home sweep Boult, they have a power-packed against all comers. batting line led by skipper Rohit New Zealand made 173 for fi ve Sharma. off 17.5 overs after losing the toss An additional bonus for them and batting, before the weather this season is all-rounder Hardik ended their innings prema- Pandya’s return to bowling. The turely. As a result, Bangladesh’s right-armer bowled 17 overs in the run chase was set at 170 from T20 International series against 16 overs under the Duckworth- England that was won by India 3-2. Lewis-Stern formula. He also bowled a nine-over spell There were bizarre scenes as in the third and final ODI that was Bangladesh began their innings economical and played a key role without a clear target being set, in helping India seal the series. then offi cials halted play after 1.5 “The way Hardik Pandya has overs while they worked out the come to the party not just for sums. Mumbai Indians, it was important “I’ve experienced a few things for Indian cricket to see him bowl in cricket and this is not one of nine overs. It means he is ready to them,” New Zealand veteran play nine overs. It (the World Test Ross Taylor said on commen- Championship final) is going to be tary. in June, there is still time for that The tourists made 142 for but the way he has come back is seven before the required run very good for Mumbai and Indian rate proved too much and their cricket,” Gavaskar said. innings petered out. “In the last Meanwhile India and Mumbai In- fi ve or six overs we didn’t fi nish dians pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah well enough,” Bangladesh skip- has returned from his wedding per Mahmadullah said. break and joined the Mumbai “There were a few chances Indians camp. that we needed to capitalise on The 27-year-old pace bowler is then we might have got away.” undergoing quarantine since he Bangladesh will have a fi nal wasn’t part of the Indian team in chance to notch their fi rst ever the recent two white-ball series win in New Zealand tomorrow against England and therefore in Auckland. didn’t qualify for the bubble-to- The result means the Black New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips plays a shot during the second Twenty20 match against Bangladesh in Napier yesterday. (AFP) bubble transfer that exempts Caps have won all seven of their players from quarantine. home series this season, an un- of “fl ying Kiwis” and openers Yesterday, the right-arm pace broken run of success on New Martin Guptill and Finn Allen Scorecard bowler, who picked 27 wickets in Zealand soil that extends to nine proved him right, slogging 36 off NEW ZEALAND (Chapman) M. Saifuddin c Southee b Bennett 3 15 games to end as the second if results against India last year the fi rst four overs. highest wicket-taker in IPL 2020, M. Guptill c Taskin b Saifuddin 21 Bowlers: Nasum 4-0-25-0, Saifuddin 3-0- T. Ahmed not out 0 are included. It includes defeats But the Black caps were look- posted a video of himself doing 35-1 (1w), Taksin 3.5-0-49-1, Shoriful 3-0-16-1, over the West Indies, Pakistan ing shaky at 55 for three before F. Allen c Naim b Taskin 17 Extras (b1, lb1, nb1, w5) 8 workout in his hotel room. Mahedi 4-0-45-2 (1w, 1nb) and India in Tests, Bangladesh Glenn Phillips smashed an un- D. Conway c Mithun b Shoriful 15 Total (7 wickets; 16 overs) 142 “Quarantining and getting those and India in one-dayers and the beaten 58 off 31 balls. BANGLADESH reps (emoticon: hundred points),” W. Young st Liton Das b Hasan 14 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Das), 2-94 (Sarkar), 3-110 West Indies, Pakistan, Australia In reply, Bangladesh lost Liton the bowler wrote on his twitter M. Naim c Guptill b Phillips 38 (Naim), 4-123 (Mahmudullah), 5-124 (Afif), and Bangladesh in T20s. Das early but allrounder Sou- G. Phillips not out 58 handle while posting his 26-sec- L. Das c Phillips b Bennett 6 6-126 (Mithun), 7-137 (Saifuddin) “It’s been a great summer to mya Sarkar went on the attack, M. Chapman c & b Mahedi 7 ond video that shows him lifting be part of so it’d be good to fi nish notching a half-century off 25 S. Sarkar c Milne b Southee 51 Bowling: Southee 4-0-21-2, Bennett 3-0-31-2 D. Mitchell not out 34 weights as well as dumb-bells. it on the right note,” said stand- balls before falling on 51. M. b Milne 21 (3w), Milne 3-0-34-2 (1w, 1nb), Sodhi 3-0-34-0 Bumrah played a key role in in captain Tim Southee, who Phillips’ part-time spin then Extras (b1, lb2, w2, nb2) 7 (1w), Phillips 3-0-20-1 A. Hossain b Milne 2 Mumbai Indians’ fifth title win last took the skipper’s armband af- slowed the run rate and was Total (5 wickets; 17.5 overs) 173 Result: New Zealand by 28 runs season and then travelled with the M. Mithun c Conway b Southee 1 ter Kane Williamson sat out the rewarded with the wicket of Fall of wickets: 1-36 (Allen), 2-55 Series: New Zealand 2-0 Indian team to Australia. series. Mahmadullah said be- Mohamed Naim for 38, leaving (Guptill), 3-55 (Conway), 4-94 (Young), 5-111 Mahedi not out 12 (IANS) fore the match that he was wary Bangladesh struggling for runs.

TEST SPOTLIGHT Brathwaite’s ninth century takes Injured Iyer out of IPL 2021, West Indies to 354 against Sri Lanka Pant to captain Delhi Capitals AFP Reuters North Sound, Antigua New Delhi

raigg Brathwaite com- ndian batsman Shreyas Iyer has been ruled pleted a ninth Test cen- out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season tury and was eventually after injuring his left shoulder during India’s last out for 126 on the one-day international series with England, Kstroke of lunch as the West Indies Ihis franchise the Delhi Capitals announced yes- totalled 354 in their fi rst innings terday. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will on the second day of the second captain the side in Iyer’s absence, the Capitals and fi nal Test against Sri Lanka in added. Iyer sustained the injury while diving to Antigua on Tuesday. stop a shot by England opener Jonny Bairstow and Suranga Lakmal led the visi- India’s cricket board BCCI said he had partially tors’ eff ort with fi gures of four dislocated his shoulder. for 94 off 28 overs. Experienced “Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcom- Rishabh Pant. (Reuters) fast-medium bowler Lakmal fi - ing season following his injury,” the Capitals said nally broke through for the tour- in a statement. “Rishabh Pant will lead the team ing at home. “He’s been in surgery today and he’s ists halfway through the morning in his absence. “Shreyas will be missed immense- come out of it well. They’ve operated and actually session when he ended a 103-run ly, and we can’t wait to see him in DC colours once I think they found a small fragment of glass still eighth-wicket partnership be- again. We wish him a speedy recovery.” in the tendon.” tween Brathwaite and Rahkeem Pant has seen his stock rise in recent months The 25-year-old featured in two of England’s Cornwall. with match-winning knocks in test series wins four tests and all fi ve T20 matches during their Very much the aggressor for in Australia and against England at home before series in India. Archer, who was due to play for the two-and-a-half hours of sealing his spot in the limited-overs side. The the Rajashthan Royals, will miss the start of the their time in the middle, Corn- 23-year-old middle order batsman also smashed Indian Premier League season, which starts on wall went past his previous best 77 and 78 in the last two ODIs against England as April 9. in Tests – 61 in the fi rst innings of India won the series 2-1 in Pune. The IPL begins the fi rst Test just a week earlier at on April 9, with the Capitals playing their fi rst PERERA BECOMES FIRST SRI LANKAN the same venue. game the following day against the Chennai Su- TO HIT SIX SIXES IN AN OVER He may have even been enter- per Kings in Mumbai. All-rounder Thisara Perera has become the fi rst Sri taining the prospect of a maiden Lankan cricketer to hit six sixes off one over dur- Test hundred on his home ground ARCHER UNDERGOES HAND SURGERY ing a domestic match in Colombo. The 31-year- when a miscued heave to the on- AFTER FREAK FISH TANK ACCIDENT old, playing for the Sri Lanka army team, cleared side off ered a simple catch to Jofra Archer underwent surgery to remove a glass the ropes a total of eight times in his whirlwind Vishwa Fernando at mid-on. fragment from a tendon on his right hand on unbeaten 52 off 13 balls against the Bloomfi eld Cornwall’s 73 came off 92 balls Kraigg Brathwaite of West Indies in action during Day Two of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka at Vivian Monday after an attempt to clean his fi sh tank cricket and Athletic Club at the weekend. Perera and was embellished by 10 fours Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, yesterday. (AFP) went wrong, England’s director of cricket Ash- is the second player to achieve the feat in 2021 and and one six. ley Giles said. Archer sustained the injury at his coincidentally was on the fi eld when it happened Captain Brathwaite, who re- wall. He eventually stroked two non Gabriel, someone with no 2016. But it was the skipper who home in January and the injury was managed by earlier this month as Kieron Pollard hit six sixes sumed on 99 overnight and went more boundaries to add to his tal- pretensions to batsmanship, it perished, playing on for 126 and England during their test and T20 series in India. off Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya in a Twenty20 to three fi gures by turning the ly of 11 from day one but then saw seemed almost inevitable that giving Chameera a third wick- “He’s got a fi sh tank, dropped the fi sh tank and international in Antigua. Perera scored only one third ball of the morning from the dismissal of Kemar Roach off Brathwaite would complete et of the innings. Brathwaite’s cut his hand,” Giles told BBC Radio 5 Live. that day but now joins an exclusive club of nine Lakmal to fi ne leg, never accel- Dushmantha Chameera, giving the rare feat of carrying his bat marathon eff ort, during which he “This is going to sound like an awful conspiracy batsmen to score 36 off an over in professional erated out of fi rst gear through wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwel- through a completed Test innings went past 4,000 Test runs, oc- and I know what’s going to happen on Twitter cricket alongside Garfi eld Sobers, Ravi Shastri, his eight-and-a-half-hour vigil, la his fi fth catch of the innings. twice, having done so previously cupied 311 deliveries in which he straight away when I say this. But it’s true, it’s Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Ross Whiteley, even with the demise of Corn- Joined by last man Shan- against Pakistan in Sharjah in stroked 13 fours. not a conspiracy, it was a fi sh tank. He was clean- Hazratullah Zazai, Leo Carter and Pollard. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 31, 2021 5 SPORT

NHL Sabres’ winless skid hits 18 as they fall to Flyers in OT Reuters nicked it past Ullmark. That came mo- third round. No other players were suc- RESULTS New York ments after Buff alo nearly missed an cessful until Karlsson buried the puck empty-net goal. Buff alo put 13 shots on with a slap shot in the eighth round af- Flyers 4-3 Sabres Elliott’s net in the fi rst period, and was ter Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman missed van Provorov scored 42 seconds into fi nally rewarded for the eff ort with 2:19 Sharks 4-3 Wild the target with his attempt. overtime, and the visiting Philadel- left in the opening frame. Taking a pass Golden Knights 4-1 Kings Meanwhile Reilly Smith, Tomas Nosek and Nicolas Hague scored sec- phia Flyers overcame a 3-0 defi cit from Curtis Lazar, defenseman Henri Avalanche 5-2 Ducks to extend the Buff alo Sabres’ fran- Jokiharju skated in all alone and put the ond-period goals and the Vegas Golden Ichise-record winless streak to 18 games puck through Elliott’s legs for a 1-0 Sa- Jets 5-1 Flames Knights rallied for a 4-1 victory over the with a 4-3 victory on Monday night. bres lead. The Sabres made it 2-0 just Penguins 2-1 Islanders visiting Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Off a two-on-one with Travis 2:10 into the second period when Cody Oilers 3-2 Maple Leafs Former Kings defenseman Alec Mar- Konecny, Provorov slid the puck past Eakin blasted a shot between two Phila- tinez scored a late goal for the Golden Buff alo netminder Linus Ullmark to delphia defenders that beat Elliott on Knights, while Jonathan Marchessault cap a remarkable comeback for the Fly- the short side. With 7:17 left in the mid- lead into the fi rst intermission. had two assists. Goaltender Robin Leh- ers, who have won back-to-back games dle frame, it was defenseman Brandon In the second period, Evander Kane ner made 24 saves as West Division- for the fi rst time since a three-game Montour, set up nicely by Tage Thomp- broke up a play in the Sharks’ zone and leading Vegas improved to 8-2-0 over winning streak from February 24-28. son, who beat Elliott on the glove side to started a two-on-one in the opposite the past 10 games and 4-1-0 against Philadelphia has also won fi ve straight give Buff alo a three-goal edge. direction before setting Karlsson up the Kings this season. Matt Roy scored against the Sabres, who are 0-15-3 since with a saucer pass right in front of Min- one minute into the game for the Kings, winning at New Jersey on February 23 – KARLSSON CARRIES SHARKS TO nesota’s net. Karlsson’s shot picked the but Los Angeles struggled to create any the NHL’s longest winless stretch since SHOOTOUT WIN OVER WILD corner over Talbot’s shoulder and tied off ense from there. Jonathan Quick had Pittsburgh went 18 in a row without a Erik Karlsson scored twice in regula- the game 2-2 at the 15:45 mark. 20 saves for the Kings, who lost their victory in 2003-04. tion and tallied the game-winning Karlsson scored his second goal of third game in a row. Buff alo led 3-0 when Philadelphia fi - goal in the eighth round of a shootout the evening at 4:11 of the third period, The Golden Knights earned their nally got on the board via Kevin Hayes’ as the San Jose Sharks rallied to de- a slap shot that rung off the post before 24th victory, matching the Tampa Bay short one-timer that slid in, after hit- feat the visiting Minnesota Wild 4-3. going in and giving San Jose a 3-2 lead. Lightning for the most in the NHL. ting the post and bouncing off Ullmark Radim Simek also scored in regulation Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (right) celebrates with right wing Travis Fiala tied the game when he buried a Roy’s quick goal came from the deep (32 saves), just 1:50 into the fi nal period. for San Jose before Logan Couture and Konecny after scoring a goal against the Buff alo Sabres during the third period at Johansson rebound to make it 3-3 with slot after Gabriel Vilardi fl ipped him The Flyers made it 3-2 with 9:09 left in Kevin Labanc found the back of the net KeyBank Center in Buff alo, New York. (USA TODAY Sports) 10:12 left in regulation. a backhanded pass from the right cir- the third when Claude Giroux drove in the shootout. Martin Jones made 22 It appeared that Minnesota’s Jared cle. It was just the second goal of the home a pass from Sean Couturier to saves in the win. Marcus Johansson, Wild are 3-0-1 in their past four. the score at 16:04 of the fi rst when Spurgeon scored the winning goal with season for the defenseman. Smith got keep the pressure on the Sabres. Nick Bonino and Kevin Fiala scored The Wild went without register- Simek’s shot from inside the blue line 2:53 left in overtime, but it was waved the Golden Knights even on the power With goalie Brian Elliott (29 saves) regulation goals for the Wild. Fiala and ing a shot on goal for the fi rst 10:51 of beat Talbot. The tie didn’t last long as off after the offi cials determined the play at 4:04 of the second period. He off for the extra skater, Philadelphia Mats Zuccarello were successful in the the opening frame, but their third shot Joel Eriksson Ek set Bonino up for the puck was knocked down by a high stick. pounced on a loose puck in front of the tied the game with 1:29 to play in regu- shootout. Minnesota goalie Cam Talbot of the period got them on the board at go-ahead goal at the 19-minute mark. Fiala and Couture exchanged goals in Kings’ goal and fl ipped it into the roof lation when Couturier got to the puck made 36 saves. The Sharks are still just the 12:41 mark when Johansson’s snap Despite being outshot 18-7 through the the second round of the shootout, and of the net with Quick sprawled out on amid traffi c in front of the net and 3-5-1 in their past nine games while the shot eluded Jones. The Sharks leveled fi rst 20 minutes, the Wild took a 2-1 Zuccarello and Labanc tallied in the the ice.

NBA PREVIEW MLB welcomes back fans for new season Triple-doubles for in Covid-19 era

Reuters ries ever. As MLB works to bounce New York back from its annus horribilis, fans can expect new health and safety protocols at ballparks across the ens of thousands of country, with all the clubs allowing Harden, Westbrook Major League Base- at least some fans to attend their ball (MLB) fans will re- games including the Texas Rang- ‘I take pride as a leader in making turn to regular-season ers, the only team that will start its Tgames across the United States season with 100% capacity. my teammates better. Tonight this week for the fi rst time in 18 Basic measures like mask- months, in a radically diff erent wearing and social distancing the guys helped me out making landscape amid the Covid-19 will be part of the protocol at all crisis that nearly caused last sea- stadiums, while individual teams deliver wins shots and keeping it moving’ son to be derailed. will be permitted to enforce their Eleven ballparks served as own enhanced measures. AFP mass Covid-19 vaccination While MLB did not mandate a Los Angeles sites during the off season, ad- Covid-19 vaccine or test for fans, ministering more than 1 million the New York Yankees and New doses, in stadiums where MLB York Mets, which are each al- ashington’s Russell West- now hopes to welcome back fans lowing 20% capacity to start the brook and Brooklyn’s James – slowly, at fi rst – over a 162- season in accordance with state Harden delivered impressive game season, after the entirety of guidelines, will require attendees triple-doubles on Monday, 2020’s regular season was played to show proof of inoculation or a Wsparking their clubs to NBA victories and to empty stands. negative test. making some personal history for them- “Sports operate on the entire The Milwaukee Brewers, which selves. idea of getting people addicted to will operate at 25% capacity, last Westbrook unleashed 35 points, a ca- their product,” said Victor Math- week said they were going en- reer-best 21 assists and 14 rebounds to eson, a professor at College of tirely cashless inside American power the Wizards over the visiting In- the Holy Cross and an expert on Family Field and said they were diana Pacers 132-124 for the 162nd triple- sports economics. “The question encouraging fans to opt for mo- double of his career. is whether, you know, a year or bile concession ordering. It was the fi rst triple-double in NBA 18 months or two years has al- “That’s just going to be right history with 35 or more points and 20 or lowed you to kick that addiction, now, for the short term, the cost more rebounds. Only Magic Johnson and and whether people actually say, of doing business,” said George Oscar Robertson had previously pro- ‘Yeah, you know what? I’m not Belch, a San Diego State Univer- duced triple-doubles of 30 points, 20 re- sure I’m ever going back in the sity marketing professor and co- bounds and 10 assists. same way I did before.’” founder of the school’s Sports “I take pride as a leader in making It is a critical point for MLB, Management MBA program. my teammates better. Tonight the guys which fared worse than the Na- “It’s not unlike what they’ve helped me out making shots and keeping tional Basketball Association, the gone through ... with the expen- it moving,” Westbrook said. National Hockey League and the sive testing almost every day of It was Westbrook’s 16th triple-double National Football League over the the players in football and base- with the Wizards, the 32-year-old US last 12 months, with MLB’s reve- ball, basketball.” guard setting a club one-season record in nue plummeting by more than $6 MLB reported on Friday two only his 38th appearance for Washington. billion between 2019 and 2020, new Covid-19 positives among “Mindset was to go out and be aggres- according to Matheson. players and two among person- sive and make sure I set the table for my The MLB regular season starts nel in its weekly testing results. teammates like I’ve been doing all year on Thursday with all 30 teams “They have to be excited and long and make sure they have confi dence scheduled to play. Last year’s de- really hoping that they can not going into the fourth,” Westbrook said. layed start to the season, which only get people in but be able to “When the fourth hits, it’s time to take was shortened to just a 60-game increase the number throughout over.” schedule, and the decision to not the season,” said Belch. Japan’s Rui Hachimura added 26 points allow fans except at the National “It’s not only for the ballpark, as the Wizards (17-28) had six double- League Championship Series it’s just for the person you know fi gure scorers, while Domantas Sabonis and World Series, took a chunk watching on TV.” led Indiana with 35 points and 11 re- out of the league’s bottom line. ESPN Senior Coordinating bounds. “They fared terribly last year Producer Phil Orlins told report- In New York, Harden scored 38 points, and that was a combination ob- ers that even on the broadcast passed off 13 assists and pulled down 11 viously of no fans as well as only there is an “authentic sound” of rebounds, while Kyrie Irving added 27 40% the number of games and, a crowded ballpark that can’t be points in his return as the Nets beat visit- for example, playoff ratings were replicated. ing Minnesota 112-107. Harden delivered terrible,” said Matheson, add- “I just miss the kid or the fa- his 12th triple-double in only 32 games ing that the Los Angeles Dodg- ther catching the home run,” said with the Nets, tying Jason Kidd’s one- James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves during their game at ers’ successful championship bid Orlins. season club record, as Brooklyn moved Barclays Center in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP) was the least-watched World Se- “I miss the fun.” a half-game back of Eastern Conference leader Philadelphia at 32-15. RESULTS 23, while Greek star big man Giannis being obtained from Orlando at the NBA Irving, who missed Brooklyn’s past Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 32 trade deadline. Slovenian guard Luka three games for personal reasons, added Washington 132-124 Indiana points. Miami’s Jimmy Butler scored Doncic scored 25 points, and Kristaps seven rebounds, three assists, three steals New Orleans 115-109 Boston 27 points, and Bam Adebayo added 20 Porzingis added 20 to lead the Dallas and a blocked shot against the league- points and 18 rebounds to spark the Heat Mavericks to a 127-106 victory at Okla- worst Timberwolves (11-36). Brooklyn 112-107 Minnesota over host New York 98-88. Julius Randle homa City. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant remains side- Miami 98-88 New York led the Knicks with 22 points. Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas lined for at least another week due to a Detroit 118-104 Toronto The Heat improved to 23-24 to match scored 30 points and grabbed 15 rebounds hamstring injury. Boston for seventh in the East after the to spark the Memphis Grizzlies over Dallas 127-16 Oklahoma Celtics were beaten 115-109 by the visit- Houston 120-110. Saben Lee, Saddiq Bey JAZZ, CLIPPERS WIN BIG Memphis 120-110 Houston ing New Orleans Pelicans. and reserve Hamidou Diallo each scored Frenchman Rudy Gobert had 18 points Sacramento 132-115 San Antonio Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 19 points as the Detroit Pistons (13-33) and 17 rebounds as the Utah Jazz im- 28 points, eight rebounds, three assists snapped a four-game losing streak by Utah 114-75 Cleveland proved the NBA’s best record to 35-11 with and four steals, while Brandon Ingram defeating Toronto 118-104. Sacramento’s a 114-75 trouncing of visiting Cleveland. Golden State 116-102 Chicago added 25 points and nine assists. De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points, and Rich- Donovan Mitchell had 19 points, and Clippers 129-105 Milwaukee Jayson Tatum scored 34 points and aun Holmes added 23 points and 12 re- Mike Conley added 18 for the Jazz, whose grabbed nine rebounds for Boston, bounds to lead seven double-digit scorers win streak stretched to fi ve games. to 32-16 and staying four games behind which closed the game on a 20-8 run but in the Kings’ 132-115 victory at San An- The Los Angeles Clippers extended the Jazz in the Western Conference. couldn’t overtake the Pelicans. tonio. Stephen Curry scored 32 points to Taylor Guilbeau of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the eighth their win streak to six games by ripping Marcus Morris led the Clippers with Frenchman Evan Fournier went 0-for- lead the Golden State Warriors to a 116- inning against the Chicago Cubs during the MLB spring training the Milwaukee Bucks 129-105, improving 25 points, and Kawhi Leonard added 10 from the fl oor in his Celtics debut after 102 home victory over Chicago. game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, March 31, 2021 SPORT

GOLF CYCLING ‘Gutted’ Stewart broke hand in USA’s Horschel Bouhanni collision

AFP “I admit that my mistake Paris was to change the trajectory to catch his wheel. I didn’t see Jake Stewart at that moment. ritish rider Jake Stew- When we made contact with vaults into Ryder art said yesterday he each other, I was thrown off broke a bone in his left balance and caught myself as hand when he was rid- best I could so as not to fall... denB into the barriers by Nacer In no way was it intentional”. Bouhanni in the fi nal sprint of Bouhanni’s apology fol- last weekend’s Cholet-Pays de lowed a call by the Interna- la Loire race. tional Cycling Union (UCI) for Groupama-FDJ’s Stewart sanctions against him. Cup conversation will miss the upcoming cob- The UCI “strongly con- bled classics, including Sun- demned the dangerous con- day’s Tour of Flanders. duct”. ‘I love when people are pulling against me because I love to just put that needle into them to “We thought and was hop- ing that it was just superfi cial,” VINI ZABU TEAM RISK show them that, hey, you try and do everything you can to aff ect me and it’s not happening’ the 21-year-old tweeted. MISSING GIRO AFTER “But this mornings X-ray DOPING POSITIVE Reuters showed a fractured second The Vini Zabu team could miss New York metacarpal after Sundays out on participating in the Giro Cholet Pays de la Loire. d’Italia after rider Matteo De “Gutted to say the least to Bonis tested positive for the illy Horschel picked be missing De Ronde (Tour of banned blood-booster eryth- the right event to make Flanders) this week, but full ropoietin (EPO) and the Italian a statement to United focus now for recovering and outfi t were suspended by the States Ryder Cup cap- getting back on the bike.” International Cycling Union tainB Steve Stricker. French sprinter Bouhanni (UCI). Winning the World Golf shouldered Stewart with some Championships-Dell Technolo- 200m to go on Sunday. Stew- gies Match Play event Sunday art stayed on his bike as his helped Horschel vault seven left shoulder and arm left were spots up to No. 11 in the US Ryder crushed against the crash bar- Cup team standings. riers. The top six players following “I’m obviously disappoint- the 2021 Tour Championship ed not to ride in the upcoming will earn automatic spots on the Flanders classics, especially The UCI said that given that team. as I had very good legs. I can’t De Bonis’s positive test is the Stricker will then make six help it, that’s part of the sport,” team’s second in 12 months, captain’s picks. If Horschel con- he said in a team statement. the Giro wild card-entrants tinues playing well, the 34-year- “I can be satisfi ed with my will be suspended for “15 to 45 old may not need Stricker’s help physical condition, so I will days” in accordance with anti- in making his fi rst Ryder Cup take time to recover and hope- doping regulations. team. fully come back as strong,” “The UCI will shortly refer Horschel has rocketed up to added Stewart, who fi nished the matter to the Disciplinary No. 17 in the offi cial world golf second in Het Nieuwsblad at Commission which will render rankings with four top-10s in the end of February. a decision in due course,” the his past nine starts, including On Monday, Bouhanni ad- UCI said in a statement. Sunday’s win and a T2 at last mitted to having “made a mis- Vini Zabu’s previous doping month’s WGC event at The Con- take”. case came during last year’s cession. While he has yet to play “I want to say I’m sorry for Giro, in October, when Matteo on a Ryder Cup team, Horschel Jake Stewart,” said the Arkea- Spreafi co failed two tests for was part of the winning 2007 Samsic rider, explaining he the banned steroid ostarine. Walker Cup team. only had eyes for eventual This year’s Giro starts on “I love playing for America,” Billy Horschel hits out of the bunker on the 16th hole during the final round of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament at the winner Elia Viviani. May 8. he said Sunday. “I love playing Austin Country Club over Scottie Scheff ler. (USA TODAY Sports) for the USA. I love when people are pulling against me because I love to just put that needle into Olympic hopes driving me on, says South Korea’s Park Condensed Women’s Six Nations them to show them that, hey, you try and do everything you Park In-bee said the prospect “I knew that the Olympics was to kick off on Saturday can to aff ect me and it’s not hap- of defending her Olympic title at going to happen (this year), and pening.” this year’s Tokyo Games is driv- it really motivates me, trying to The women’s Six Nations Championship will kick off on Satur- World No. 1 Dustin John- ing her on this season after the prepare myself at my best so I day with matches every weekend for four weeks, the organisers son remains atop the US Ryder South Korean started her 2021 can represent the country,” she said, after the tournament had to be postponed from February Cup standings. He’s followed LPGA Tour campaign with vic- was quoted as saying by Yonhap due to the Covid-19 pandemic. by Bryson DeChambeau, Justin tory at the Kia Classic on Sunday. news agency. Traditionally, the teams play each other in a round-robin format Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Collin The world number four, who The top 15 players in the world but this year the six teams are split into two pools of three, with Morikawa and Xander Schauf- won gold at Rio in 2016 as golf rankings at the end of June the winner of each pool playing a final on April 24 and the other fele in the automatic spots. made its return to the Olympics qualify for the July 23-Aug. 8 To- four playing their last fixture the same day. Koepka is currently recover- for the first time since 1904, kyo Games, with a maximum of Fans in the UK, Ireland and Italy will be able to watch all nine ing from a knee procedure, with collected her 21st LPGA Tour four golfers allowed from each games in the tournament, while France’s games will also be his status for the Masters next title with a five-shot win over country. Despite being No. 4 in broadcast in the country. month in doubt. Americans Amy Olson and Lexi the world, Park is only the third- “Top class action, a new format, all matches being broadcast, Patrick Reed is No. 7, followed Thompson in California. The highest ranked South Korean a first ever Super Saturday – all of which is taking place in a by Tony Finau, Daniel Berger 32-year-old is now four wins player, behind No. 1 Ko Jin-young standalone window for the first time ever,” Six Nations rugby and Webb Simpson ahead of away from matching Pak Se-ri’s and No. 2 Kim Sei-young. CEO Ben Morel said. Horschel. record for the most LPGA Tour “Trying to qualify myself for the Defending champions England in Pool A play Scotland first Scottie Scheffl er, who lost victories by a South Korean but Olympics is actually not as easy before taking on Italy, while last year’s runners-up France are in to Horschel in Sunday’s fi nal, she said the chance to defend as like winning a tournament,” Pool B with Wales and Ireland. climbed eight spots to No. 14 as her Olympic title in Tokyo was Park added. While many have predicted an England v France final, England he also attempts to earn a spot in her top priority. “You have to play really well for skipper Sarah Hunter said they are not looking so far ahead. his fi rst Ryder Cup. “The good motivation for me four years after the Olympics is “I know everyone is saying it will be an England and France final Postponed from 2020 due to obviously now is the Olympics,” done and you have to be playing but we can’t pay attention to that,” she said. the coronavirus pandemic, the said Park, who topped the best at the time. “We have just got to focus on getting the performance right and Ryder Cup will take place in Sep- podium ahead of New Zealand’s “But I think I am getting close. I hopefully that will impact the result, see us top the group and tember with the US playing host Lydia Ko and China’s Shanshan wouldn’t say I’m safe but getting get to the final.” to Team Europe at Whistling Feng in Rio. close to my goal.” (Reuters) Straits in Sheboygan, Wis.

FOCUS New Zealand Rugby boss talks up private equity plan AFP All Blacks captain Sam Cane Wellington was among those who signed a Rugby to trial eye-tracking tech letter to NZR opposing the deal, to detect concussion it reported. ew Zealand Rugby chief Robinson acknowledged a let- World Rugby has announced EyeGuide and NeuroFlex – will executive Mark Rob- ter had been received in January eye-tracking technology will be be involved in the trials, with inson expressed confi - but said the discussion had pro- trialled to help with the detec- details of the competitions in dence yesterday that a gressed since then. tion of concussions in the sport. which they will be used yet to N“transformational” private eq- “It’s been two months - we’re It will be used during matches be confirmed. The issue of head uity deal would proceed, despite sharing more and more informa- in some competitions alongside injuries in rugby and football reservations expressed by top All tion and more and more informa- the sport’s existing Head Injury is under the spotlight, with Blacks. tion is coming to hand,” he said. Assessment (HIA) process and growing fears over long-term The cash-strapped governing “I’ve had the opportunity to also as part of the return-to- health damage. A legal action body has confi rmed it is in talks speak to some senior All Blacks play protocol to monitor play- has been launched on behalf of with a private equity investor, and they remain open-minded ers coming back from injury. a group of ex-players suff ering raising concerns about the All to what is being proposed at this Studies have found that eye from neurological conditions Blacks’ name being sold to the stage.” movement, or oculomotor against World Rugby, England’s highest bidder. NZR is expected to vote on the function, is altered at the time Rugby Football Union and the Robinson said it would deliver proposal at its annual general a concussion is suff ered, or Welsh Rugby Union. The group a much-needed boost to New meeting next month. shortly after, and the technolo- includes Steve Thompson, who Zealand Rugby’s fi nances, which Rugby has proved an attrac- gy being trialled should pick up won the World Cup with Eng- were already in a parlous state A file photo taken on October 31, 2015, shows New Zealand’s captain Richie McCaw (centre) lifting the tive investment opportunity for any changes in that function. land in 2003. The eye trial is the before the coronavirus pandemic Webb Ellis Cup after winning the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Australia at Twickenham private equity, with CVC Capital Eanna Falvey, chief medical latest in a number of measures hit. stadium, south west London. (AFP) Partners this month paying £365 off icer for global govern- being taken to explore the “We do believe it is truly a million ($500 million) for a 14 ing body World Rugby, said: issue. Some clubs are using transformational opportunity for but reports in local media say worldwide. raised concerns about the pro- percent stake in the Six Nations “We believe that oculomotor gumshields with microchips all of the game,” he told reporters. NZR is in talks with US fi rm Sil- The focus of the deal is the All posal’s potential impact on rugby tournament. screening examination in rugby to measure the impact of colli- “We believe the game needs ver Lake. Blacks - three-time world cham- in New Zealand. CVC – which once owned For- has the potential to boost the sions. A separate study of elite to change and we have a strong It would reportedly involve the pions with a win rate of almost The New Zealand Herald re- mula 1 and has signifi cant invest- identification and management male rugby players identified leadership role to play in provid- American fi rm paying NZ$465 80 percent, who enjoy global ported this month that the New ments in the English Premiership of concussions by objectively biomarkers in a player’s saliva ing opportunities for that to hap- million ($325 million) for a 15 recognition for their style of play Zealand Rugby Players Associa- and Pro14 – said it wanted to identifying potential abnormali- that were 94 percent accurate pen.” percent stake of NZR’s com- and famed haka pre-match chal- tion’s approval was needed for “enhance the sporting spectacle” ties in oculomotor function.” in predicting the outcome of a Details of the proposed deal mercial rights and negotiating lenge. the deal to go ahead but it had of the tournament and attract a Two technology providers – head injury assessment. (AFP) have not been publicly released merchandise and broadcast deals But senior All Blacks have threatened to exercise its veto. bigger global fan base. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 31, 2021 7 SPORT

TENNIS FIA chief in Qatar Osaka , Barty advance at Miami Open ‘In the end, it was who fought the hardest’ President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Jean Todt (centre) and President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Abdulrahman Abdullatif al-Mannai (right), met Nasser Ghanem al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the beIN Media Group and Paris Saint-Germain Club. During the meeting, a number of issues of common interest were discussed. Picture at bottom shows Todt and Peter Bayer, Secretary General of the FIA, visiting the Museum of Islamic Art. They were accompanied by Abdulrahman al-Mannai and Amro al-Hamad, Executive Director of the QMMF. During his visit, Todt attended the FIA MENA Sport Regional eCongress.

Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a forehand against Elise Mertens of Belgium (not pictured) in the fourth round of the Miami Open on Monday. PICTURE: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports FOCUSTENNIS Murray eyes greener pastures aft er tennis career is finished AFP with her third ace and fi nally “I’m just excited I get to be in bring my best game to win.” Miami fi nished off the fi rst set on her another quarter-fi nal of a big Svitolina’s quarter-fi nal foe AFP seventh chance with a service event,” Barty said. will be Latvia’s 57th-ranked London winner. “I still feel like there’s a lot Anastasija Sevastova, who eigning US and Aus- In the second set, Osaka better tennis left out there for eliminated Croatia’s 338th- tralian Open cham- needed her fi fth chance of the me. I still don’t feel like I’m ranked Ana Konjuh 6-1, 7-5. ndy Murray has re- pion Naomi Osaka ad- third game to break Mertens, playing my very best just yet, Tsitsipas, Rublev win vealed he would like to vanced to the Miami only for the Belgian to quickly but I’m fi ghting through and On the men’s side, Greek swap the tennis court for OpenR quarter-fi nals yesterday, break back to 2-2 and hold to 3-2 I’m fi nding ways to win, which second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas the golf course when he stretching her win streak to 23 before requiring treatment for a is great.” The 2019 French Open defeated Japanese 28th seed Kei Ahangs up his racket — eyeing a life matches by defeating Belgian right shoulder injury. winner dominated the fi rst set Nishikori 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 after an as a caddie to a professional golf- 16th seed Elise Mertens 6-3, Osaka won the last four games but Azarenka broke for a 2-0 hour and 56 minutes to reach er. The three-time Grand Slam 6-3. The second-ranked Japa- after that, breaking at love in lead in the second, then fought the last 16. winner, 33, told the Gentleman’s nese star will next face Greek the seventh game, holding at back from 0-40 down to hold Tsitsipas will next face Italian Journal there was “crossover” 23rd seed Maria Sakkari, who love in the eighth and breaking for 3-0 on the way to forcing a 24th seed Lorenzo Sonego, who between the two sports and he outlasted US 29th seed Jessica again to end matters after 88 third set. dispatched Colombian Daniel could make a diff erence. Murray Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (8/6) at the minutes when Mertens netted a After an early exchange of Galan 7-6 (8/6), 6-3. is battling back after hip surgery WTA and ATP Masters Series forehand. Top-ranked defend- breaks, Azarenka denied Barty Russian fourth seed Andrey although his latest comeback event. ing champion Ashleigh Barty on two break chances in the Rublev routed Hungarian 29th was halted when he withdrew “I started off really well and battled into the quarter-fi nals fourth game but the 24-year- seed Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-1, from the ongoing Miami Open then for some reason I became a by outlasting former world old Queenslander broke in to reach the fourth round. due to a groin injury. little sluggish. My speed didn’t number one Victoria Azarenka the sixth game and again on “I’ve played some great ten- The Scottish former world really feel the same,” Osaka said. 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. the last point. “First two sets nis last couple of months,” Ru- number one, who also has two “I thought it was really men- Australia’s Barty broke fi ve probably had some pretty big blev said. “We’ll see if I can keep Olympic titles, is not ready to tal from then on. In the end, it times, the last when Azarenka momentum swings,” Barty going.” retire yet but has been thinking was who fought the hardest.” netted a forehand volley to end said. “But I think the third set The 23-year-old from Mos- about his future. “I love sport, Four-time Grand Slam cham- matters after one hour and 52 was a real tussle.” cow will next face Croatia’s so something else that would in- pion Osaka broke at love for a minutes at Hard Rock Stadium. Ukraine’s fi fth-seeded Elina 32-year-old Marin Cilic, the terest me post-playing would be 2-0 lead and broke again for a Barty, who had to save a match Svitolina rallied to defeat Czech world number 45 who beat It- working in another sport,” said close and personal with top golf- golfer with that might be inter- 5-1 edge but Mertens broke Os- point on the way to a three-set ninth seed Petra Kvitova 2-6, aly’s 19-year-old Lorenzo Mu- Murray. ers and to learn about another esting.” Murray’s sporting ambi- aka at love in the seventh game victory over Kristina Kucova in 7-5, 7-5. setti 6-3, 6-4. “I got asked about this a little sport like that. “There’s proba- tions do not stop there, though. and denied four set points for the second round, plays Tues- “I’m really happy with how “Very pleased,” Cilic said. while ago and, because I really bly also some crossover between “Getting my coaching badges Osaka to hold in an eighth game day against seventh seed Ary- I bounced back from being a “Just have to battle it out with like golf, being a caddie on a golf tennis and golf on the mental in football — that would be fun,” that lasted almost 10 minutes. na Sabalenka of Belarus, who set down,” Svitolina said. “I’m these youngsters. I’ve got to tour would be exciting — to be up side and things, and helping a he said. Osaka, seeking her fi rst Mi- downed Czech 19th seed Marketa happy with how I’m playing and keep the heads high for the vet- ami crown, saved a break point Vondrousova 6-1, 6-2. handling the pressure. I had to erans on the tour.” BOTTOMLINE Not much love for Covid-19 Ashleigh Barty of Australia returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in Miami on Monday. vaccine among women players

Reuters really want it yet and I don’t want happen. Miami my family take it. “So I think this is not enough “If I will have to do it, then of time to make the good one.” course I have to do it because our Svitolina said she to would layers at the Miami Open life is a travel life.” wait because at the moment get- yesterday expressed lit- While Sabalenka wants more ting the vaccine makes no sense. tle love for Covid-19 information about vaccines, “It will not really help you in Pvaccines, with many the 22-year-old Belarusian is many ways because you have saying they want more informa- well aware of her next opponent to quarantine anyway because tion before getting a shot. Barty, who advanced into the last ATP and WTA, they oblige you Seventh seeded Aryna eight with a 6-1 1-6 6-2 win over to quarantine anyway, like 24 Sabalenka expressed more con- Victoria Azarenka. hours as soon as you get it,” said cern over the vaccine than her Of major concern for Sabalen- the Ukrainian, who advanced to quarter-fi nal opponent number ka is how quickly the vaccines the quarters with 2-6 7-5 7-5 de- one Ash Barty while fi fth seed were produced, the number that cision over ninth seeded Czech Elina Svitolina said she was are now available and which one Petra Kvitova. inclined to take the advice of might be best for her. “Okay, you will reduce your friends and wait. “I have to speak with my doc- symptoms if you get it, but still, “So far I don’t really trust it,” tors and see which one is better there is a chance that you can get Sabalenka told reporters fol- for me,” said Sabalenka. “But for it. lowing her fourth round 6-1 6-2 now, I don’t really trust it. “So for now it makes almost, mugging of Marketa Vondrous- “They just make it, like really like, no sense to do something ova. quick and there wasn’t enough that has been tested for such a “It’s tough to say, but I don’t time to test it and to see what can short period of time.” Wednesday, March 31, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

US MAYORS VISIT AL BAYT STADIUM

A delegation of mayors from US cities toured the Al Bayt Qatar 2022 Stadium on a recent visit to Qatar. During the trip, they learned about Qatar’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup. The delegation included Francis Suarez, the mayor of Miami, Florida, Bryan K. Barnett, the mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Kyle Moore, mayor of Quincy, Illinois.

SPOTLIGHT MOTORSPORT Tsunoda Top sports, events best F1 professionals rookie in years, says give key insights Brawn at ‘Josoor Hiwar’ A session on sports diplomacy was also held during the three-day series

Reuters day while Russian Mazepin spun London off at the third corner — the shortest F1 debut since 2002. Canadian Nicholas Latifi was ormula One’s motor- the sole rookie last year, failing to sport managing director score a point with Williams, but Afraa al-Noaimi, Executive Director, Ross Brawn has hailed the sport had a strong injection Josoor Institute. Yuki Tsunoda as the of talent in 2019 when Britons Fbest rookie in years after the Jap- George Russell and Lando Norris undreds of sports and event anese scored points on his debut moved up from F2. management professionals in Bahrain last Sunday. Russell shone last year when from across the region attended The former Ferrari technical he replaced seven-times cham- the second edition of ‘Josoor director who also ran the Honda, pion Lewis Hamilton at Mer- Hiwar’H – a series delivered by Josoor In- Brawn and Mercedes teams, said cedes for a race in Bahrain after stitute, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 he had been impressed by the his compatriot contracted Cov- education and training programme 20-year-old AlphaTauri driver’s id-19. launched by the Supreme Committee for “brilliant spells” in the season- Norris, fourth on Sunday for Delivery & Legacy (SC). opener. McLaren, became the youngest The three-day online series featured “He is the best rookie F1 has Briton to stand on the F1 podium expert insight from sports and events had for years, having been fairly when he took third in Austria last professionals in Qatar and around the stunning in whatever series he year. world. A host of key topics were covered, has competed in,” said the Briton Tsunoda, who was ninth in including industry trends, the impact of in a column for the formula1.com Bahrain, was the fi rst Japanese Covid-19, sports diplomacy and future website. to score points in nearly a decade skills. The event also included a careers “His promotion by Red Bull and the 65th driver to do so on section for Josoor Institute alumni and looks like a brilliant move. We his debut. delegates. tendees for their valuable input.” betta Trinchero, of SDA Bocconi School of and security, inclusivity and accessibil- can all remember the glorious His result was the best result Launched in 2013, Josoor Institute of- Famous local participants included Management, and Professor Simon Rofe, ity. A session on sports diplomacy was days of full grandstands at Su- by a Japanese since Kamui Koba- fers education and training to sports and composer Dana al-Fardan and entre- from SOAS University of London. A host also held. Day three included information zuka and the passion of the Japa- yashi fi nished sixth for Toyota in events industry professionals in order to preneur Ghanim al-Sulaiti. Other con- of SC employees also took part, includ- about future skills for the evolving job nese fans. Abu Dhabi in 2009. Kobayashi leverage Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World tributors included Margareta Drzeniek- ing Afrodite Moschoudi, Aisha al-Kuwari, market and career planning in collabora- “I think we are going to have also fi nished ninth on his debut Cup. It has helped thousands of profes- Hanouz, from Horizon Group, Nicolas Talar Sahsuvaroglu, Samantha Sifah, tion with Global Sports. that again, which is incredibly that year but points were only sionals develop new skills and further Jutigny, of Publicis Live, Matt Crisp, from Mark Dyer, Caspar Morley, Gordon Pen- The dedicated careers section of the exciting.” awarded to the top eight at the their careers over the past eight years. beIN SPORTS, George Prior, from AC Mi- ney and Bashir Mirza, along with Mo Mo- event allowed delegates and alumni to Formula One has three rook- time. Japan has never had a For- Afraa al-Noaimi, Executive Director, lan, Sara Eddleston, from YouGov Sport, hammadi from the FIFA World Cup Qatar use virtual booths to meet with repre- ies this season, one of them last mula One race winner, let alone a Josoor Institute, said: “It was a pleasure Ahmed Abbassi, from the Qatar Stars 2022 LLC. sentatives from a host of organisations, year’s Formula Two winner Mick champion, but Red Bull motor- to host delegates and colleagues for the League, Natacha Schauenburg, from In- Day one of the conference gave del- including the Qatar Stars League, Aspire Schumacher — the son of sev- sport consultant Helmut Marko latest ‘Josoor Hiwar’ event. This type of front Sports & Media AG, and Robert egates an overview of the current eco- Academy, QF Sports, beIN SPORTS, Paris en-times world champion and told racefans.net that Tsunoda industry gathering helps people to net- Wispelweij, from FIFA. nomic implications of Covid-19, along Saint-Germain, KAS Eupen, Save the Ferrari great Michael — and the was the best chance yet. work with like-minded professionals and Key contributors from the academic with looking at trends already in place Dream, UCFB and Buzztech. The meet- other his Haas teammate Nikita The last previous rookie to keep up with the latest business trends. I community were Professor Daniel Kelly, before the pandemic. Day two focused on ings allowed delegates and alumni to fi nd Mazepin. score points in his fi rst race was would like to thank all our expert speakers from Tisch Institute for Global Sports key developments in the run-up to Qatar out what skills and expertise these organ- Schumacher fi nished 16th, Belgian Stoff el Vandoorne with for their contributions, along with the at- at New York University, Professor Elisa- 2022, including accommodation, safety isations are looking for. lapped and last on track on Sun- McLaren in 2016.

US Olympic, doping chiefs call for major WADA reforms Ricciardo raced with damaged car on team debut London: Daniel Ricciardo the back of his car at the begin- Los Angeles: US Olympic and doping (USADA) and US Olympic & Paralympic said. empowered to discuss change impacting raced with a significantly ning of the race,” said team leaders called for major reforms at the Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council. “Many individual athletes and athlete them and their colleagues.” The foundation damaged car on his McLaren principal Andreas Seidl. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yes- “All athletes have been promised the op- groups have also submitted reform propos- board should consist of representatives debut in Bahrain last weekend, “The level of damage cost a terday, seeking greater independence and portunity for a fair, safe, and level-playing als as athletes worldwide rally for change. from government, sport, athletes, national the Formula One team said considerable amount of down- a greater voice for athletes in the change field and WADA must transform itself Without athletes, WADA would cease to anti-doping organisations and independ- yesterday. force. Despite the performance process. immediately to deliver on this agreement.” exist. Incorporating athlete feedback is long ent experts, the letter says. All executive The Australian, who moved loss Daniel used his experience The open letter calls for greater transparen- WADA is consulting with stakeholders overdue, but it’s not too late. WADA must committee and foundation board decisions from Renault at the end of last to cope with the issues and cy and accountability to protect the global about possible changes, but the US groups act now.” must be publicly disclosed, including stake- season, finished seventh at the score important points for the integrity of the sport doping watchdogs. are pushing athlete engagement and major The US groups call for an independent gov- holder compliance decisions, with votes Sakhir circuit after qualifying team.” “WADA must change and become a strong, influence in any reforms. ernance structure for WADA with no sport recorded and made public, the US groups sixth. British teammate Lando Norris independent anti-doping regulator and pro- “The only way WADA can achieve these off icial being allowed to serve on WADA’s argue, saying WADA cannot be regulated “Post-race we found damage to finished fourth in the race with tector of clean athletes’ rights,” said a joint objectives is to eliminate conflict of interest executive committee, with that body to by the sporting movement or govern- Daniel’s floor from the impact McLaren third in the construc- statement from the US Anti-Doping Agency and truly embrace athlete input,” the letter include “independent athletes and be ments. (Reuters) of Pierre (Gasly) running into tors’ standings.