Wales begin with bonus-point win over Georgia at Rugby World Cup PAGE 14

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

Digital floodlights, the midnight Members of IAAF Council Meeting in Doha on Monday. marathons, mixed relays, cooling (Pic: Matthew Quine for IAAF) technology…. Everything is different. This is really good thing for our sport and Qatar has been given this opportunity for that: Coe

RAAJIV TRIPATHI will take place against a stun- DOHA ning Corniche backdrop on a floodlight course with modern IAAF President amenities to beat the heat, if is upbeat about Qatar putting it is there at all. While talking up a very innovative and fans’ about things never before seen friendly IAAF in the WCHs, Coe commented, Championships Doha 2019 at “Very pleasing. I think there are the majestic Khalifa Interna- lots of things we are going to do tional Stadium at Aspire Zone. for the first time. The evening The 10-day championships, only sessions with the specific to be hosted in the Middle East focus on field events. We have region for a first time, will begin some of the biggest names in on September 27 and come to the combined events are all an end on October 6. competing on the same day. Jaw-dropping experience After an IAAF Council brief, “The digital floodlights, the Coe said, “Doha looks well pre- midnight marathons, mixed pared to host the IAAF World relays, cooling technology…. Athletics Championships. I Everything is different. This is spoke to Dahlan al Hamad to- really good thing for our sport day, my colleague from the Lo- and Qatar has been given this cal Organising Committee. My opportunity for that,” he said. awaits fans: IAAF chief competition team is here and Qatar has been organising everything is in place. international athletics events “Now we are relying on ath- for 21 years. It has the pride second biggest single sport innovations and the technolo- tainly raise the bar when you letes to do what they do really of launching the popular Dia- event in the world. gy. Some of the new broadcast reflect on the 2019 WCH after IAAF maintains Russia ban over doping well. I hope that it will be spec- mond League season in Doha “There will be plenty of technology would be applied it is over. “Every champion- tacular and excite many more every year. Besides, it held the digital innovations during the on these championships as ship wants to look back and THE IAAF said on Monday it would maintain a ban on the Russian young people, particularly in World Indoor Championships championships. One of the at- well,” he said. say it did something different athletics federation pending analysis of data from the Russian Qatar, to be athletes,” he added. in 2010 and now the IAAF’s tractiveness to our council of The IAAF chief was opti- and I hope Qatar would not anti-doping laboratory covering the 2011-2015 period when state- “The Doha 2019 team has flagship championships – the choosing Qatar was the digital mistic that Qatar would cer- be different.” sponsored doping was prevalent. planned to incorporate many “The council endorsed the strongest recommendation we’ve firsts in a bid to make it one of probably had from the taskforce that Russia remains suspended,” the most memorable experi- International Association of Athletics Federations president Se- ences for both athletes and fans bastian Coe said following a meeting of the body’s council in Doha around the globe. Right from ahead of the World Championships. Though the Russian federation the split evening sessions to the remains banned, athletes from Russia have been competing for midnight marathons and the years as neutrals with 118 due to participate in the World Athlet- mixed relays. From the green ics Championships which get underway in Doha Friday. Russia was cooling technology to the LED barred from international competition in 2015 over a vast state-run lights. From the digital flood- doping conspiracy. The IAAF announcement came as the World Anti- lights to delightful telecast mo- Doping Agency (WADA) Monday gave Russia three weeks to explain ments. Everything is going to “inconsistencies” in a cache of laboratory data handed over to have you drop your jaws!” investigators. Russia stands to be declared non-compliant by WADA The women’s marathon is if it fails to explain why evidence of some positive tests handed over slated for the opening day, while International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe (centre), head of communications for the worldwide athletics by a whistleblower doesn’t show up in data provided by ’s the men’s marathon would be federation Jackie Brock-Doyle and the head of IAAF Inspection Team, Rune Andersen, attend a media conference following a meeting of the anti-doping laboratory in January. (AFP) held on October 5. Both races body’s council in Doha ahead of the 2019 World Championships on Monday. (AFP)

IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 Timetable and Statistics

imetable of finals at the September DC: Ines Henriques, Portugal DC: Yang Jiayu, China WR: 1:53.28 Jarmila Kratochvilova, Czechoslovakia, July WR: 12.80 Aries Merritt, , September 7, Women’s 400m hurdles at 18:30hrs OC: United States 27-October 6 IAAF World Athletics OC: NA OC: Liu Hong, China 26, 1983, 2012, Brussels WR: 52.20 Dalilah Muhammad, United States, July 28, Men’s 4x100m relay at 19:15hrs T Munich YB: 12.98 Grant Holloway, United States 2019, Des Moines WR: 36.84 Jamaica, August 11, 2012, London Championships Doha 2019 (in GMT), with Sunday, September 29 (5 finals): Monday, September 30 (6 finals): YB: 1:54.98 Caster Semenya, South Africa DC: Omar McLeod, Jamaica YB: 52.20 Dalilah Muhammad, United States YB: 37.60 Britain world records (WR), 2019 world best Women’s pole vault at 17:40hrs Women’s at 17:30hrs DC: Caster Semenya, South Africa OC: Omar McLeod, Jamaica DC: Kori Carter, United States DC: Britain results (YB - as of September 22), defend- WR: 5.06 , Russia, August 28, 2009, WR: 2.09 Stefka Kostadinowa, Bulgaria, August 30, OC: Caster Semenya, South Africa OC: Dalilah Muhammad, United States OC: Jamaica ing world champions from 2017 (DC) and Zurich 1987, Men’s 400m hurdles at 19:40hrs Thursday, October 3 (4 finals): Men’s 3,000m steeplechase at 18:45hrs Men’s marathon at 20:59hrs YB: 4.91 Jenn Suhr, United States YB: 2.06 Mariya Lasitskene, neutral athlete WR: 46.78 Kevin Young, United States, August 6, 1992, Women’s shot put at 19:35hrs WR: 7:53.63 Saif Saeed Shaheen, Qatar, September 3, WR: 2:01:39 Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya, September 16, 2016 Olympic champions (OC) for each DC: Ekaterini Stefanidi, DC: Mariya Lasitskene, neutral athlete WR: 22.63 Natalya Lisovskaya, Soviet Union, June 7, 2004, Brussels 2018, Berlin event, where applicable. (Doha is three OC: Ekaterini Stefanidi, Greece OC: Ruth Beitia, YB: 46.92 Karsten Warholm, Norway 1989, Moscow YB: 8:04.82 Soufiane el Bakkali, Morocco YB: 2:02:37 Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya hours ahead of GMT) Men’s triple jump at 18:45hrs Men’s 5,000m at 18:20hrs DC: Karsten Warholm, Norway YB: 20.31 Gong Lijao, China DC: Conseslus Kipruto, Kenya DC: Geoffrey Kirui, Kenya WR: 18.29 Jonathan Edwards, Britain, August 27, 1995, WR: 12:37.35 Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia, April 31, OC: Kerron Kement, United States DC: Gong Lijao, China OC: Conseslus Kipruto, Kenya OC: Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya Friday, September 27 (1 final): OC: Michzelle Carter, United States Men’s 400m at 19:20hrs Women’s marathon at 20:59hrs Tuesday, October 1 (4 finals): Women’s 400m at 20:50hrs WR: 43.03 Wayde van Niekerk, South Africa, August 14, Sunday, October 6 (7 finals): WR: 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe, Britain, April 13, 2003, Men’s pole vault at 17:05hrs WR: 47.60 Marita Koch, East , October 6, 1985, 2016, Rio Women’s long jump at 16:15hrs London WR: 6.16 Renaud Lavillenie, France, February 15, 2014, Canberra YB: 43.45 Michael Norman, United States WR: 7.52 Galina Chistyakova, Soviet Union, June 11, YB: 2:17:08 Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya Donetsk YB: 49.05 Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Bahamas DC: Wayde van Niekerk, South Africa 1988, Leningrad DC: Rose Chelimo, Bahrain YB: 6.06 Sam Kendricks, United States DC: Phyllis Francis OC: Wayde van Niekerk, South Africa YB: 7.16 Malaika Mihambo, Germany OC: Jemima Sumgong, Kenya DC: Sam Kendricks, United States OC: Shaunae Miller, Bahamas Men’s 20km walk at 20:30hrs DC: Brittney Reese, United States OC: Thiago Braz, Brazil Women’s (800m) at 21:05hrs WR: 1:16:36 Yusuke Suzuki, , March 15, 2015, OC: Tianna Bartoletta, United States Saturday, September 28 (6 finals): Women’s javelin at 18:20hrs WR: 7,291 Jackie Joyner-Kersee, United States, Nomi Men’s 1,500m at 16:40hrs Women’s hammer throw at 16:25hrs WR: 72.28 Barbora Spotakova, Czech Republic, September 23-24, YB: 1:17:15 Toshikazu Yamanishi, Japan WR: 3:26.00 , Morocco, July 14, WR: 82.98 Anita Wlodarczyk, August 28, 2016, Warsaw September 13, 2008, YB: 6,819 Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium DC: Eider Arevalo, Colombia 1998, Rome YB: 78.24 DeAnna Price, United States DC: Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium OC: Wang Zhen, China YB: 3:28:77 Timothy Cheruiyot, Kenya DC: Anita Wlodarczyk, Poland YB: 67.98 Lu Huihui, China OC: Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium DC: Elijah Manangoi, Kenya OC: Anita Wlodarczyk, Poland DC: Barbora Spotakova, Czech Republic Men’s (1,500m) at 21:15hrs Saturday, October 5 (7 finals): OC: Matthew Centrowitz, United States Men’s long jump at 17:40hrs OC: Sara Kolak, Croatia WR: 9,126 Kevin Mayer, France, September 15/16, Men’s shot put at 17:05hrs Men’s javelin at 16:55hrs WR: 8.95 Mike Powell, United States, August 30, 1991, Men’s 800m at 19:10hrs WR: 23.12 Randy Barnes, United States, May 25, 1990, WR: 98.48 Jan Zelezny, Czech Republic, May 25, 1996, WR: 1:40.91 David Rudisha, Kenya, August 9, 2012, Jena YB: 8.65 Juan Miguel Echevarria, London YB: 22.74 Ryan Crouser, United States YB: 90.61 Magnus Kirt, Estonia DC: Luvo Manyonga, South Africa YB: 1:41.89 Nijel Amos, Botswana DC: Tomas Walsh, New Zealand DC: Johannes Vetter, Germany OC: Jeff Henderson, United States DC: Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, France OC: Ryan Crouser, United States OC: Thomas Roehler, Germany Women’s 10,000m at 18:10hrs OC: David Rudisha, Kenya Women’s triple jump at 17:35hrs Men’s 10,000m at 17:00hrs WR: 29:17.45 Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia, August 12, 2016, Men’s 200m at 19:40hrs WR: 15.50 Inessa Kravetz, Ukraine, August 10, 1995, WR: 26:17.53 Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia, August 26, Rio WR: 19.19 Usain Bolt, Jamaica, August 20, 2009, Berlin 2005, Brussels YB: 30:37.89, Letsenbet Gidey, Ethiopa YB: 19.50 Noah Lyles, United States YB: 15.41 Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela YB: 26:48.95 Hagos Gebrhiwet DC: Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia DC: Ramil Guliyev, Turkey 2018, Talence DC: Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela DC: Mo Farah, Britain OC: Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia Gothenburg 2004, Hengelo OC: Usain Bolt, Jamaica YB: 8,711 Damian Warner, OC: Caterine Ibarguen, Colombia OC: Mo Farah, Britain Men’s 100m at 19:15hrs YB: 18.14 Will Claye, United States YB: 12:52.98 Telahun Haile, Ethiopia DC: Kevin Mayer, France Women’s 1,500m at 17:55hrs Women’s 100m hurdles at 17:50hrs WR: 9.58 Usain Bolt, Jamaica, August 16, 2009, Berlin DC: Christian Taylor, United States DC: Muktar Edris, Ethiopia Wednesday, October 2 (3 finals): OC: Ashton Eaton, United States WR: 3:50.07 Genzebe Dibaba, Ethiopia, July 17, 2015, WR: 12.20 Kendra Harrison, United States, July 22, YB: 9.81 Christian Coleman, United States OC: Christian Taylor, United States OC: Mo Farah, Britain Men’s hammer throw at 18:40hrs 2016, London DC: Justin Gatlin, United States Mixed 4x400m relay at 19:35hrs Men’s discus throw at 18:25hrs WR: 86.74 Youri Sedych, Soviet Union, August 30, 1986, Friday, October 4 (6 finals): YB: 3:55.30 Sifan Hassan, Netherlands YB: 12.32 Danielle Williams, Jamaica OC: Usain Bolt, Jamaica Women’s 100m at 20:20hrs WR: 74.08 Juergen Schult, Germany, June 6, 1986, Stuttgart Men’s high jump at 17:15hrs DC: Faith Kipyegon, Kenya DC: Sally Pearson, Men’s 50km walk at 20:30hrs WR: 10.49 Florence Griffith-Joyner, United States, July Neubrandenburg YB: 81.74 Wojciech Nowicki, Poland WR: 2.45 Javier Sotomayor, Cuba, July 27, 1993, OC: Faith Kipyegon, Kenya OC: Briana Rollins, United States WR: 3:32:33 Yohann Diniz, France, August 15, 2014, 16, 1988, YB: 71.86 Daniel Stahl, DC: Pawel Fajdek, Poland Women’s 5,000m at 18:25hrs Women’s 4x400m relay at 18:15hrs Zurich DC: Andrius Gudzins, Lithuania OC: Dilshod Nazarov, Tajikistan YB: 2.35 Maksim Nedasekau, Belarus WR: 14:11.15 Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia, June 6, 2008, WR: 3:15,17 Soviet Union, October 1, 1988, Seoul YB: 3:37:43 Yohann Diniz YB: 10.73 Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce/Elaine Thompson, OC: Christoph Harting, Germany Women’s 200m at 19:35hrs DC: , Qatar Oslo YB: 3:24.04 United States DC: Yohann Diniz, France both Jamaica Women’s 3,000m steeplechase at 18:50hrs WR: 21.34 Florence Griffith-Joyner, United States, OC: , Canada YB: 14:20.36 Hellen Obiri, Kenya DC: United States OC: Matej Toth, Slovakia DC: Tori Bowie, United States WR: 8:44.32 Beatrice Chepkoech, Kenya, July 20, 2018, September 29, Women’s discus at 18:00hrs DC: Hellen Obiri, Kenya OC: United States Women’s 50km walk at 20:30hrs OC: Elaine Thompson, Jamaica Monaco 1988, Seoul WR: 76.80 Gabriele Reinsch, Germany, July 9, 1988, OC: Vivian Cheriuyot, Kenya Men’s 4x400m relay at 18:30hrs WR: 3:57:08 Klavdiya Afanasyeva, neutral athlete, June Women’s 20km walk at 20:30hrs YB: 8:55.58 Beatrice Chepkoech, Kenya YB: 21.74 Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Bahamas Neubrandenburg Women’s 4x100m relay at 19:05hrs WR: 2:54.29 United States, August 22, 1993, Stuttgart 15, 2019, WR: 1:24:31 Elena Lashmanova, Russia, February 18, DC: Emma Coburn, United States DC: Dafne Schippers, Netherlands YB: 69.39 Yaime Perez, Cuba WR: 40.82 United States, August 10, 2012, London YB: 2:59.05 United States Cheboksary 2019, Sochi OC: Ruth Yebet, Bahrain OC: Elaine Thompson, United States DC: Sandra Perkovic, Croatia YB: 41.67 Britain DC: Trinidad and Tobago YB: 3:57:08 Klavdiya Afanasyeva, neutral athlete YB: 1:25:29 Glenda Estefania Morejon, Ecuador Women’s 800m at 19:10hrs Men’s 110m hurdles at 19:55hrs OC: Sandra Perkovic, Croatia DC: United States OC: United States. Sports Tuesday, September 24, 2019 13

MESSI, RAPINOE WIN FIFA BEST AWARDS; KLOPP BAGS COACH OF THE YEAR

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi (left) won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award on Monday for a record sixth time. The striker edged out Juventus’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk. Megan Rapinoe won The Best fifa Women’s Player award, beating fellow World Cup winner Alex Morgan and England’s Lucy Bronze. Rapinoe led the United Statesto the defence of their World Cup title in France in the summer. The 34-year-old won the Golden Boot for being top scorer and the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp (2nd left) picked up the Men’s coach of the Year award while Allison Becker of Liverpool (3rd left) and Brazil won the goalkeeper honours. US women’s team coach Jill Ellis was named the Women’s Coach of the Year. Brazilian fan Silvia Grecco, who narrates her local team’s soccer matches live to her blind and autistic son Nickollas, (right) won the FIFA Fan Award 2019. (AFP) ‘Favourites’ Al Sadd welcome QNB Stars League schedule revised QNA Friday, 27th September. on October 22. DOHA Al Gharafas match against Should Al Sadd qualify for Al Sailiya has been shifted to the AFC Champions League pressure in QSL and Asia THE Competitions Depart- September 28. final, their match against Qa- ment of the Qatar Stars Al Arabi’s match against tar SC in Week 10 of the QNB League (QSL) and Qatar Foot- Al Sadd has been postponed, Stars League will be resched- win and a draw in their first ball Association’s Competi- due to Al Sadd’s AFC Champi- uled. The Wolves to three games is a stark contrast tion Committee amended the ons League first-leg semifinal Similarly, should Al Sadd for Trabelsi’s high-flying Per- 2019-20 QNB Stars League against Al Hilal of Saudi Ara- qualify for the Club World face Al Sailiya egrines last season. schedule. bia in Doha on 1st October. Cup final in Doha in Decem- The Tunisian however, said Accordingly, Week 5 The following changes ber, their match against Al at Al Janoub his team need to turn opportu- matches have been resched- have been made in view of Gharafa in Week 11 will be re- Stadium today nities into goals against a tough uled in consultation with the Al Sadd’s participation in the scheduled to December 24. Al Sadd team. National Teams Manage- AFC Champions League and It may be noted that the “We’ll also try to translate ment, taking into consid- Club World Cup. QNB Stars League’s Week 5 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK our opportunities into goals. eration the AFC Champions Al Khor’s match against matches will be played at the DOHA We’ve made great changes in League and on request of Al Sadd in Week 7 will also be Al Arabi and Al Gharafa Sta- our squad and the players need the Organizing Committee of scheduled later as Al Sadd’s diums due to the maintenance AL Sadd coach Hernan- more time to gel well. We’re World Athletics Champion- AFC Champions League sec- work at Al Sadd and Al Janoub dez says his team welcome the improving after every game,” ships Doha 2019 whose open- ond-leg semifinal against Al Stadiums to prepare them for pressure of being the top side said Trabelsi. ing ceremony will be held on Hilal will be played in Riyadh future matches. in Qatar as The Wolves take on Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez with midfielder Salem al Hajri during a “Playing against a big club Al Sailiya on Tuesday at the Al press conference on Monday ahead of their QNB Stars League match like Al Sadd isn’t easy. They’ve Janoub Stadium in a resched- against Al Sailiya. an outstanding striker in Bagh- Quick read uled QNB Stars League match. dad Bounedjah and top-quality Victory will take the Cham- be a motivation for us to con- The former Al Sadd and professional players. We know pions atop the league stand- tinue winning. Barcelona star also hailed his that we’ve a tough task on hand Balotelli set for Brescia debut but Ronaldo doubt for Juventus ings and Al Sadd also have the “We are the favourites and conuterpart Sami Trabelsi. and we’re ready for it. first leg semi-final of the AFC we are stronger than them, and We are prepared for to- “We’ll push the players MARIO Balotelli said he was “in great shape” as he prepares to return to Serie A on Tuesday with his Champions League on October we need to show this strength morrow’s game. Al Sailiya is to perform to their potential first game for his hometown club Brescia against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Italian champions Juventus. 1 against Al Hilal at the Jassim on the pitch. Al Sadd are go- a good team with a lot of ex- against Al Sadd in order to “Mario will be there Tuesday,” confirmed coach Eugenio Corini of the Italian striker whose debut was Bin Hamad Stadium. ing through a good phase. I am perience in the league. They come out with a positive re- delayed by a four-game suspension for former club Marseille. But Ronaldo may miss the date with “There is a lot of pressure happy with the performance have been performing well sult. We’re playing against Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri revealing the Portuguese star had picked up a slight adductor problem. on us. We welcome this pres- of all the players. We require and playing in many different Al Sadd and not against their “Cristiano has a little fatigue to the adductors and I have to see if he is available,” said Sarri. “I don’t sure and we know how to deal all the players because there ways, because they have an ex- big names. The confronta- want to take any risk with injuries,” added the Juventus coach. Balotelli, 29, has been getting fit during with it and fulfil our objectives are important tournaments we cellent and intelligent coach.” tion is certainly difficult at his absence as he looks to impress coach Roberto Mancini and earn a spot in the Euro 2020 at home and in Asia. If we de- have to win – the Champions Al Sailiya on the other the tactical level and we’ll try team. “My objective is to play for Italy at the Euros, but my main aim right now is to get into shape as feat Al Sailiya, we will be on League and QSL,” Xavi said at hand, have had a mixed start to contain their attackers,” quickly as possible for Brescia,” Balotelli told DAZN. It will be Balotelli’s third time playing in Italy after top of the league and this will a press conference on Monday. to the season -- one loss, one he added. Inter Milan and AC Milan. (AFP) Qatar World Cup emblem launch marks another giant step on the road to 2022, says Xavi

SC.QA What makes this country World Cup, and this wonderful this experience at least once in memories belong to the one DOHA an ideal host for the FIFA memory always comes back. As their lives. we won in South Africa in World Cup? a player I was fortunate enough Regarding the second part 2010. EX-FC Barcelona Xavi In my opinion, Qatar is an to play in many great teams and of your question, many people Hernández has won more than ideal candidate. As I said be- alongside many great players – have never been to Qatar. Some The emblem launch marks 30 major honours throughout fore, the passion of its people some of the greatest players to might have an opinion based the first official imagery of his illustrious career – includ- for sports and for football in have ever played the game. on some news in the media, but the FIFA World Cup 2022. ing the biggest prize of all, the particular, their engagement During that time, we en- I’m convinced they will change How different will the ‘look FIFA World Cup™ . The leg- and work that they are devoting joyed many successes, in La their views on the country once and feel’ of Qatar’s FIFA endary midfielder joined Qa- to the organisation of the first Liga and in the Champions they know it better. I would like World Cup be to previous tar Stars League side Al Sadd World Cup in the region and League – but the World Cup to encourage everyone who has editions do you think? in 2015, where he collected the size of the country is going is special, it’s totally unique. the opportunity to come to Qa- It is going to be different, the league title in 2019. In the to make it a very special World Of course I will remember tar and enjoy the World Cup in because as I mentioned be- summer, he took over as head Cup. For example, football fans that night in Johannesburg for 2022. fore, the size of the country coach. in Qatar will be able to attend the rest of my life, and yes it’s and the distances between He’s keenly involved in several matches in one day. true – whenever the World Cup What are your earliest and venues will enable fans to Generation Amazing – our I also think another very comes around and I watch a fi- favourite FIFA World Cup attend several games on the football for development pro- special element to the 2022 nal, it brings back many incred- memories? same day. gramme – which uses football World Cup is the ‘Olympic ible memories. My first memories of the Also, it’s going to be dif- to educate and inspire young Games’ feel it will have to it – World Cup go back to 1986, ferent because it’s the first people, enabling them to make where all the fans from all over What does the FIFA World but are a bit vague. I was six time a country in the Gulf, long-lasting social changes in the world will come together in Cup mean to fans that at- years old so I have small flash- in the Middle East, hosts a their communities. In 2016, one small area to enjoy sport tend, and to those who backs of watching some games World Cup, which will add Xavi’s first act as an ambas- together. Only sport can bring have never been to Qatar at home with my family as a cultural touches never seen sador was to promote football this kind of gathering of people – what do you say to those very young boy. Obviously before in such an event. for girls at a pitch in Al Baqa’a from around the world together planning to travel? since then I have watched Since I have been liv- refugee camp in Jordan. in one place at one time to en- Simply put, it’s the biggest much of the action back many ing here I have fallen in love joy a mutual interest, and we football event there is. It’s the times, and of course, the tour- with the culture, the people, Qatar has become home have never seen this at a World pinnacle – for everyone in- nament had some of the most the architecture – both in for you now – how can Cup before. volved; players, officials and iconic moments and goals. the stadiums and the build- you describe the country, I believe that the images fans. But this last element is the The first World Cup I could ings throughout Qatar. All of its people and most im- Xavi Hernandez of fans from 10, 20 or even 30 most important. The event is truly live and enjoy as a fan these things are unique to this portantly, the party it will countries all enjoying the fan for the fans. As players it gave was Italia 90. I was ten years region of the world and all of throw in 2022? season, I have now taken up development commitments; parks together will be one of us joy to see the emotions our old and already completely which will give this tourna- I think Qatar is a country my first coaching role, with Al programmes such as Genera- the defining images of 2022. As actions could bring to the mil- obsessed with the game at this ment its own characteristics. that is rapidly developing with Sadd – a challenge I am thor- tion Amazing which I am proud a fan and resident of this coun- lions of fans watching back point – all I can remember Every World Cup host a strong commitment towards oughly enjoying. My family and to play a small role in. try, that really excites me. home and around the world. is watching these games and brings its own sense of na- culture, sport and education as I are settled here. Both my chil- But yes, there is obviously a When everyone can come to- hoping beyond anything else tional identity to the tourna- the basis of its progress. Qatar’s dren were born here and we are clear focus, which is the World As one of an elite few to gether, watch games, celebrate that one day I would get the ment and Qatar will be no dif- population has a great respect proud to call Qatar home. Cup in 2022, and all the coun- have lifted the FIFA World successes together – it’s when opportunity to take part in this ferent – I am certain of that. and love for their Amir and for Over the next few years I’m try is committed to making Cup, how often do you club rivalries do not matter. magical tournament. It will be a World Cup like his way of managing the coun- sure the country will continue the World Cup a true football think about that night in For those travelling to Fortunately for me 12 no other, and what excites try. to build on the remarkable party – I’m sure everyone who 2010? the tournament, without any years later I was in Japan and me most is that this country Its people are very wel- progress we all witness every comes here over the coming This is a memory that will doubt, being part of the World South Korea with the Spanish will have the opportunity to coming, and I’ve been feeling day – not only on the visible years, and for the tournament always remain with me. I never Cup is a unique experience for national team, realising that showcase itself to the world; that since I first arrived back infrastructure such as roads, itself, will leave with very good dreamt I could make it, and it any fan. If they have the op- dream. I am proud to have an opportunity it deserves in 2015. After deciding it was stadiums and the metro, but impressions of the country and is true that every four years, portunity to do so, I think that been to four World Cups as a and something I’m sure it will time to retire at the end of last also on the legacy and social the region. even now as a fan, I enjoy the every football fan should live player, but of course, the best grasp with both hands. 14 Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Sports Wales begin with Warm welcome for Qatar goalball champions bonus-point victory over Georgia

Qatar’s goalball team was accorded a warm reception on its arrival in Doha on Sunday after winning the at the 2019 West Asian Para Games in Amman, Jordan. In the final match, Qatar defeated Iraq 9-7. Jassim bin Rashed al Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Hamad Lahdan al Mohannadi, Director of the QOC Support Services Sector, Khaleel Ibrahim al Jabir, Director of the QOC Sport Affairs Department, Dr. Hassan al Ansari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Paralympic Committee, received the delegation at the Hamad International Airport.

Tsonga bags Bairstow dropped fourth Metz ATP title from Test squad AFP AFP The first Test, at Mount METZ (FRANCE) LONDON Maunganui, starts on Novem- ber 21. The series is not in- JO-WILFRIED Tsonga won ENGLAND have dropped cluded in the new World Test the ATP tournament in Metz Jonny Bairstow from their Championship. for the fourth time Sunday fol- Test squad for the tour of New World Cup-winning - lowing a 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4), Zealand, with paceman James tain Eoin Morgan will captain 6-3 victory over Slovenia’s Al- Anderson unavailable for the the team, with the jaz Bedene. two-match series due to a calf five-match series starting on The 34-year-old Frenchman injury. November 1. added to his wins in 2011, 2012 Four uncapped players will and 2015 in Metz by claiming be on the plane -- Warwickshire Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, the 18th title of his career. opener Dominic Sibley, Stuart Broad, , , Zak Wales’ wing George North scores a try during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match against Georgia at the City of Toyota Stadium in Tsonga finished 2018 batsman and Lan- Crawley, Sam Curran, , Jack Leach, Toyota City, Japan, on Monday. (AFP) ranked outside the top 200 cashire pair Saqib Mahmood Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie after a year lost to injuries but and Matt Parkinson. Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris AFP a few nice tries and we’re happy crowd at a sultry City of Toyota their own driving maul, but will climb back into the world’s Batsman Jason Roy, who Woakes TOYOTA CITY (JAPAN) with the bonus point.” Stadium scenting a rout. fresh-on-the-field Jaba Breg- top 50 on Monday. starred in England’s World Twenty20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny There were barely two min- vadze manipulated it to a jud- “I’m proud to have come Cup triumph, is another name Bairstow, Tom Banton, , Pat SIX Nations champions Wales utes on the clock when centre Out of the box dering halt, his dark art spotted back. It’s not always easy to missing from the 15-strong Brown, Sam Curran, , Joe Denly, opened their Rugby World Davies was played in under the The sole bright spark for by referee Luke Pearce who had return after significant inju- Test squad after a difficult Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Cup campaign with a bonus- posts after a rocket of a pass Georgia in a grim first-half no option but to yellow card to ries that need an operation,” Ashes series, which ended 2-2 Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, point 43-14 victory over Geor- by scrum-half and namesake display saw a rare break into the replacement hooker. said Tsonga. last week. James Vince gia in Toyota City on Monday. Gareth, decoys Dan Biggar and Welsh territory by hooker A raft of replacements dis- The victory not only sent Hadleigh Parkes bamboozling Shalva Mamukashvili, Gareth rupted the flow of the game, out a signal of intent to main a leaden-footed defence. Davies twice on hand with tap- enabling Georgia to weather Pool D rivals Australia, who Biggar’s conversion sur- downs to halt the foray. the 10-minute sin-binning beat Fiji in their opener, but prisingly came back off the Skipper Alun Wyn Jones, without conceding any points. Sheikh Fahad records 12th straight win also dispelled any doubts there posts, but the fly-half redeemed matching Gethin Jenkins’ re- Despite their far more might have been of a hango- himself with a penalty shortly cord of 129 Wales caps, and No combative half, it was re- Qatari boxer Sheikh Fahad bin ver in the Welsh camp over afterwards. 8 Josh Navidi were at the heart placement scrum-half Tomos Khalid al Thani (right) after post- the sending-home of assistant Another well-drilled mid- of the effective Welsh rush de- Williams who chased down ing his 12th straight professional coach Rob Howley amid alle- field move saw winger Ad- fence to nullify the threat from a George North grubber for career win against Romania’s gations of illegal betting. ams split the defence before the ‘Lelos’. Wales’ fifth. Ionut Bogheanu during their bout Four slick first-half tries offloading to Gareth Davies. And it was instead Wales Toulon prop Levan in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday. from Jonathan Davies, Jus- The scrum-half was brought who had the last word of the Chilachava responded Georgia The third-round win was quite tin Tipuric, Josh Adams and down short, but Tipuric was first 40 minutes, Liam Wil- when he bombed over from sweet for the Qatari super welter- Liam Williams ensured the on hand to swoop for the ball liams scooping up Jonathan short range, but Wales had the weight pugilist, who celebrated bonus point for Wales, who and sidestep inside Giorgi Davies’ pass to dot down in last word when North finished his 32nd birthday on Friday. were given a stern examina- Tkhilaishvili to run through the corner, Biggar making no well after some neat footwork Sheikh Fahad made a winning tion by a strong Georgian unmolested for Wales’ second mistake to stretch the score and an offload from Tomos debut against Hungary’s Bela scrum that came to life in the try, Biggar converting. out to 29-0. Williams. Sandor in May 2016. He has seond period. The third came soon after, The Georgians opened the “I think we came out of the since then beaten a string of “It was a good first half for Adams running in from al- second-half exactly as coach box as we went out into the first Romanians — Adrian Parlogea us and we were pretty happy at most halfway after an inside Milton Haig would have liked half but I’m disappointed if I’m (thrice), Gheorghe Ghiompirica half-time,” said Wales coach Biggar pass off a lineout, with them, hooker Mamukashvili honest with the second half,” (twice), Racaru (twice), Bogheanu Warren Gatland. the Georgian defence glar- bundled over from an attack- said Jones. (twice), Dumitru Nicu Manea “A little bit messy in the sec- ingly absent. ing line-out for a well-received “We let a couple of tries in and Sorin. ond half but the ball was quite Biggar hit the extras and try that Tedo Abzhandadze and we didn’t really continue slippery out there and it was it was a point a minute after converted. in a similar vein. It’s a good re- hard to hold on to it. We scored 22 minutes, the 35,545-strong Wales roared back with sult but it’s plenty to work on.” QPL’s Carson Cup Season XI Qatar suffer second loss begins September 27th in a row in Malaysia TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK SCOREBOARD DOHA DOHA DENMARK: QATAR (TARGET 259) THE 11th season of Qatar Pre- QATAR’S fortunes in the ICC Jonas Henriksen b Mohammed Nadeem 9 Kamran Khan c Hashmi b Hald 5 Hamid Shah c Patel b Zaheer Ibrahim 93 Saqlain Arshad c Hashmi b Laegsgaard 20 mier League (QPL) World Cup Challenge League Zameer Khan c Hussain b Ahmed 6 Zaheer Ibrahim c Klokker b Jojo 18 tournament titled ‘Carson Cup’ Group A took another blow as Freddie Klokker c Nadeem b Munaweera 80 Qalandar Khan c Lucky Ali b Shah 21 was inaugurated on Saturday in they were beaten by Denmark Oliver Hald c Arshad b Ibrahim 8 Mohammed Rizlan c Hashmi b Delawar Khan 63 attendance of captains of all the in a match by 60 runs in Kuala Jino Jojo run out (Kamran/Qalandar) 9 Dharmang Patel b Shah 0 Anique Uddin run out (Hussain) 5 Khurram Shahzad st Hashmi b Shah 22 20 participating teams. Lumpur, Malaysia. Delawar Khan 23 Iqbal Hussain lbw b Laegsgaard 1 Siraj Ansari, founder of Skipper Hamid Shah and ND Laegsgaard lbw b Hussain 0 Gayan Munaweera c Delawar Khan b Hald 23 the league, said that this year Freddie Klokker lifted Den- Abdul Hashmi not out 1 Mohammed Nadeem not out 2 twenty teams of expats from mark to a fighting 258 for eight Extras (b1, lb6, w17) 24 Owais Ahmed b Delawar Khan 0 Total (eigth , 50 Overs, RR: 5.16) 258 Extras (b 1, lb 2, nb 1, w 19) 23 sub-continent countries like in 50 overs with a 151-run Did not bat: Lucky Ali Total (all out, 43.4 Overs, RR: 4.53) 198 India, Pakistan, Bangladesh third- stand. Then Shah, Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Jonas Henriksen, 9.5 ov), 2-57 Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Kamran Khan, 4.1 ov), 2-47 and Sri Lanka are participating with three for 37, shot Qatar (Zameer Khan, 17.4 ov), 3-208 (Hamid Shah, 43.3 ov), (Saqlain Arshad, 6.6 ov), 3-48 (Zaheer Ibrahim, 7.4 ov), and the matches will start from out for 198 to pull off their sec- 4-214 (Freddie Klokker, 44.5 ov), 5-222 (Oliver Hald, 4-105 (Qalandar Khan, 20.3 ov), 5-105 (Dharmang 45.3 ov), 6-230 (Anique Uddin, 46.6 ov), 7-246 (Jino Patel, 20.6 ov), 6-150 (Khurram Shahzad, 33.6 ov), September 27th at Barwa City ond win in four matches. Jojo, 48.6 ov), 8-247 (Nicolaj Laegsgaard, 49.3 ov) 7-151 (Iqbal Hussain, 35.3 ov), 8-194 (Mohammed grounds. first, Denmark lost : Gayan Munaweera 10-1-57-1, Mohammed Rizlan, 41.5 ov), 9-195 (Gayan Munaweera, 42.1 ov), Guests for the evening Captains of the 20 participating teams of Carson Cup soon after Qatar Premier League Season XI inaugu- two wickets for 57. But Shah Nadeem 8-1-37-1, Mohammed Rizlan 5-1-20-0, Owais 10-198 (Owais Ahmed, 43.4 ov) ration last Saturday. Ahmed 7-0-32-1, Iqbal Hussain 10-0-62-1, Khurram Bowling: Oilver Hald 5-0-30-2, Jino Jojo 7-0-38-1, were Rupesh, Director, Carson and Klokker turned around Shahzad 2-0-8-0, Zaheer Ibrahim 7-0-30-2, Saqlain Nicolaj Laegsgaard 9-5-31-2, Delawar Khan 6.4-1-25- Logistics, Amjad Khan, Gul- the match with a solid partner- Arshad 1-0-5-0 2, Anique Uddin 7-1-25-0, Lucky Ali 1-0-9-0, Hamid reiz Syed, Junaid of Zaffran and Board Members - Srid- rant at Asian Town for its ership and service. ship as they took the score to Shah 8-0-37-3 Hyderabadi Restaurant, and har Abbagouni, Amer Ashfaq, sponsorship. The QPL committee was ap- 208 in 44th over. It was Shah Shahnawaz of Jazeera Airways. Abed Khan, and Sharfuddin On the occasion, QPL preciated by sponsors and the who got out first, giving a catch run-a-ball 80 with a six and laj Laegsgaard and Delawar The QPL committee con- presided over the inauguration committee also presented teams for promoting sports in off Zaheer Ibrahim to Dhar- half a dozen fours. Khan all got two wickets each. sisting of Qamar Qureshi, and extended warm wishes to mementoes to all the spon- Qatar for people from different mang Patel. Qatar lost wickets regular- Mohammed Rizlan Chairman, Mir Sohail, Presi- all the teams and players. sors and to Shankar Goud and and countries. Later the draws Shah smashed three sixes ly during the chase and could emerged as the lone fighter for dent, Saifullah,Vice-President, They also thanked Indian Narsiah Donikieni in recogni- were held using wagon wheel and four boundaries to collect not steady their innings. Be- Qatar as he cracked a six and Ibadur Rahman, Deputy VP, Hyderabadi Spices Restau- tion of their community lead- for the participating teams. 93 in 130 balls. Klokker made sides Shah, Oilver Hald, Nico- eight fours in his 98-ball 63.