THURSDAY 8 JULY 2021 CLASSIFIEDS 17 Sport THURSDAY 8 JULY 2021 18 Siwar Al Shaqab crowned Gold Champion in Menton

THE PENINSULA — DOHA handler Raphael Curti, the new Gold Team Siwar Al Shaqab celebrates with the trophies. Champion also won the following Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foun- honors in Menton: Class winner dation, enjoyed a prize-winning (with 93 percent); Best Head; Highest outing at the 2021 Mediterranean & Type Junior Filly; and Highest Score Arab Countries Arabian Horse Junior Filly. Championship, with Siwar Al Shaqab The victories highlighted once producing a stunning display of style again the premium standing of Al and elegance to be crowned Gold Shaqab’s distinguished breeding Champion Junior Female. program, which has produced The triumphant performance several Arabian stallions and mares by the majestic filly held extra sig- that have emerged victorious at local nificance, being delivered in the and international shows, including landmark 30th anniversary of the three generations of world prestigious event, which was held champions. on June 26 and 27 in Menton, Khalid Al Jehani, Manager, Al France. Shaqab Breeding & Show Siwar Al Shaqab, sired by SMA Department, said: “I am delighted Magic One, out of Abha Myra, and with Al Shaqab’s achievement in the half sister of Fadi Al Shaqab, one Menton. This was an important win, of Al Shaqab’s magnificent seven at an important show, at an important world champion stallions, lived up time. Siwar Al Shaqab captivated eve- to her impressive pedigree in daz- ryone with her beauty and per- zling the judges. formance, and she delivered a simply Superbly led by celebrated outstanding display.” Babar says no thought of Pakistan quitting tour of England

AP - CARDIFF cricket over the last couple of years. Mathews withdraws from Pakistan captain Babar Azam “They may be new players said yesterday there was no but they are playing for Babar Azam, Pakistan's thought of abandoning the England. national duty, SL players captain, during an indoor team’s white-ball tour of “I know a few of them England after learning of a net session. having played in the T20 Blast PIC:@THEREALPCB sign India tour contracts major coronavirus outbreak and those we don’t know we within the home squad. have researched their REUTERS - COLOMBO Two days before the performances.” one-day series was scheduled Ben Stokes will captain All-rounder Angelo Mathews has taken an indefinite break to begin, England announced England in its emergency, from national duties but his Sri Lanka team-mates have signed that seven of its personnel - having been left out of the tour contracts ahead of the limited-overs series against India, three players and four members original group to continue his the country’s cricket board said yesterday. of the backroom staff - had recovery from finger surgery. The players have rejected new annual contracts which tested positive for The all-rounder has called offer lower base salaries and more performance-based incen- coronavirus. on England’s makeshift squad tives but played in Bangladesh and England after signing tour With the rest of squad to make the most of an unex- contracts. instructed to isolate after being The PCB (Pakistan Cricket pected opportunity. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the same arrangement identified as close contacts, the Board) and ECB have assured “One thing I told myself to would continue for the home series against India. tour - featuring three ODIs and us that they will take care of tell the team is that, although “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that 29 players, out three Twenty20 matches - the safety and health of all the this has been a very quick turn- of the 30 members nominated by the cricket selectors to be could have been in jeopardy but around of events in having to considered for the white-ball series against India, have signed the England and Wales Cricket squad members. Of course it pick a new squad, it does not the tour contract,” the SLC said in a statement. Board hastily assembled an was disappointing news. We matter what names are on the “Angelo Mathews... requested Sri Lanka Cricket to relieve entirely new 18-strong squad must understand that these are back of an England shirt. We are him from national duties, owing to personal reasons, until from across England’s county unprecedented times of walking out there as the No. 1 further notice.” game. COVID-19. We are focusing on team,” Stokes said. Former captain Mathews, 34, last played for Sri Lanka Asked whether there was “That is an exciting thing to during their West Indies tour earlier this year but was dropped any temptation to call off the cricket and the first game. say you are a part of,” he con- in May in a major overhaul with an eye on the ODI World Cup trip, Babar said: “No, we didn’t tinued, “whether you are an in India in 2023. think about it, it didn’t come Babar Azam experienced player, young The players are facing a backlash at home after returning into our minds at any time. player or someone coming into from England where they lost five of the six matches, while “The PCB (Pakistan Cricket the group for the first time,” he the final one-dayer was abandoned because of rain. Board) and ECB have assured said. “Situations like these are Fans are particularly upset after vice-captain Kushal Mendis, us that they will take care of the so rare and such a fluster. wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and batsman Danushka safety and health of all the cricket and the first game.” That uncapped at the ODI level. “I would say you have got a Gunathilaka were sent home from England for breaching bio- squad members. Of course it comes today in Cardiff and “We can’t take any player chance to represent your bubble protocols in Durham. was disappointing news. We Babar was keen to underline playing for England lightly,” country so let’s do it with a Beginning on July 13, they will play three ODIs and an equal must understand that these are that Pakistan will not be under- said Babar, the top-ranked ODI smile on our face and just enjoy number of T20 matches in Colombo against a second-string unprecedented times of estimating a revised England batsman who has represented it as much as we can as a India team led by opener Shikhar Dhawan. COVID-19. We are focusing on squad containing nine players Somerset in English county group.” Japan considers ban on Olympic spectators, prepares state of emergency for Tokyo

REUTERS - TOKYO Japan will hold a parlia- Koike said she expected mentary election later this year Suga’s government to tighten Japan is considering banning all and the government’s insistence coronavirus restrictions. spectators from the Olympics, that the Games - postponed last The Sankei daily, citing several sources said yesterday, year as the virus was spreading government sources, said the with authorities expected to around the world - should go government was preparing to declare a state of emergency for ahead this year could cost it at declare a state of emergency for Tokyo to contain coronavirus the ballot box. Tokyo to contain the virus. The infections 16 days before the The Tokyo 2020 organising Nikkei newspaper later said the Games begin. committee said restrictions on new emergency would last until Prime Minister Yoshihide spectators would be based on August 22. Suga said his government the content of Japan’s corona- That could mean a ban on would decide on new measures virus state of emergency or spectators at Olympic events as to stop the spread of the virus other relevant measures. restrictions already in place in today. Those measures are ‘SAFE OLYMPICS’ the city would be strengthened expected to determine whether Speaking after Suga made beyond an original end-date of spectators can attend Olympic his comments, Tokyo Governor July 11. events. Yuriko Koike said the host city Sankei said a “quasi emer- Medical experts have said would continue to prepare for gency” in place in three prefec- for weeks that having no spec- “a safe Olympics” even under tures neighbouring the capital tators at the Olympics would be a fresh state of emergency. Tokyo, which will host some the least risky option amid Japan has not experienced Olympic events, would be widespread public concern that the kind of explosive COVID-19 extended. the Games will fuel new surges outbreaks seen in many other The Games begin on July 23 of coronavirus infections. countries but has had more and end on August 8. Organisers have already than 800,000 cases and 14,800 The government will meet banned overseas spectators and deaths. International Olympic Com- set a cap on domestic spectators Authorities have struggled mittee (IOC) President Thomas at 50% of capacity, up to 10,000 to stamp out persistent clusters Bach and Tokyo organisers people, to contain the corona- of infections, particularly in and today or tomorrow to discuss virus outbreak. around Tokyo, which reported the question of spectators Officials have been wres- 920 new daily cases on attending events. tling with the question for Wednesday, the highest since Top government months but a ruling party May 13. spokesman Katsunobu Kato setback in a Tokyo assembly A slow vaccine rollout has said this week Suga had raised election on Sunday, which some meant only a quarter of Japan’s the possibility of holding the allies of Suga attributed to population has had at least one Games without spectators. public anger over the Games, COVID-19 vaccination shot. Earlier yesterday Toshiro had forced the change of tack, Suga told reporters a Muto, the chief executive of the sources said. decision on virus restrictions organising committee, said “Politically speaking, having would be made today after talks organisers were striving to no spectators is now una- with health experts. He vowed ensure safety for everyone with voidable,” a ruling party source to respond to Tokyo’s rising effective public health said. cases. measures against COVID-19.