6 March 3, 2021 Tokyo 2020 Organizers Dutch Postpone Qatar Trade Mission to Add 12 Female Over World Cup Worker Concerns Board Members parliament last week called on the government and King Wil- lem-Alexander to stay away from the World Cup next year in pro- test against the treatment of mi- grant workers. Human rights group Amnesty International has repeatedly said the tournament organizer’s worker welfare standards were inadequate to prevent abuses and provide timely remedies. It has also accused soccer govern- ing body FIFA of failing to take TOKYO (Xinhua) -- The To- ing they will be officially ap- seriously alleged human rights kyo 2020 organizing commit- proved at the executive board abuses linked to the event. tee on Tuesday nominated 12 meeting on Wednesday. Qatar announced changes to its women to its executive board Several Japanese news out- labor laws last August, raising the in an effort to “restore trust” lets reported that Sydney minimum wage by 25% to 1,000 after former president Yoshiro Olympic marathon gold med- riyals ($275) a month and scrap- File Photo: A general view shows the Al Bayt stadium built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Mori’s sexist remarks. alist Naoko Takahashi and ping a requirement for workers to Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro two-time Paralympic alpine AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The the stadiums and other infrastruc- meaning. We want to hear Qatar’s obtain permission from their em- Muto told reporters after an ex- skiing champion Kuniko Obi- Dutch government has postponed a ture for the World Cup have died response before we can think of a ployers to change jobs. ecutive board meeting that the nata are among the 12 nomi- trade mission to Qatar this month, in Qatar in the past 10 years. new date for the mission.” Dutch trade minister Sigrid total female board members nees. citing concern over living condi- “This report has led to a broad The trade mission, which was Kaag, who is running as leader will be increased to 19 from Seiko Hashimoto, who took of the medium-sized centre-left tions of migrant workers helping discussion in Dutch society and to be held as a video conference the current seven, accounting over as the new Tokyo 2020 D66 party in Dutch elections this the tiny Persian Gulf state to pre- in parliament,” said Dutch for- due to coronavirus related travel for about 40% from 20%. president on Feb. 19, said pare for next year’s soccer World eign ministry spokesman Jeroen restrictions, was scheduled for month, last week said she wanted The total number of board prior to the day’s meeting that Cup. van Dommelen. March 22 to April 1. the Netherlands to boycott the members will rise to 45 from “we need to deal with the issue Britain’s Guardian newspaper “We have talked before with Qatar had not responded yet to World Cup, though foreign min- the current 34. quickly to restore the trust in last week reported that its calcu- Qatar about the poor conditions the Dutch government’s decision, ister Stef Blok said he preferred Muto did not disclose the the organizing committee and lations showed that at least 6,500 for these workers, but these num- Van Dommelen said. to keep an open dialogue with details of the 12 women, add- to produce results.” migrant workers who worked on bers give the discussion a new A majority of parties in Dutch Qatar. Mercedes Unveil Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 Formula 1 Car Harden Shines as Nets Beat LONDON (Dispatches) - The tive titles. So many things can San Antonio Spurs Mercedes in which Lewis Hamil- happen and it’s very natural to ton will bid for an eighth drivers’ get used to success, and there- title has retained the team’s black fore not fight as hard for it. anti-racism livery for a second “But this team has not shown season. any of that. I see the same fire, The new Mercedes W12 is an hunger and passion now as I did upgrade of last year’s car, which the first time I walked through dominated the season with 13 the doors in 2013. wins in 17 races. “Every season is a new chal- Team boss Toto Wolff said lenge and therefore, a new goal the team were as determined for us to achieve.” to succeed as ever despite their Hamilton, who was knighted record-breaking run of seven in the New Year Honours, said consecutive world title doubles. the car’s color scheme reflected Mercedes have won every F1 title since 2014 “Every year we reset our focus his wider goals, which now go and define the right objectives,” “That may sound simple but why there are no sports teams beyond merely succeeding on he said. it’s damn hard and is probably out there with seven consecu- track. Harden now has seven triple-doubles since joining the Nets in January Real Madrid Held by Real Sociedad to Give Atletico Advantage WASHINGTON (Dispatches) Pelicans as they earned a 129- - James Harden scored 30 points, 124 win over Western Confer- they could spy an opportunity to all Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio but knock their opponents out of the both went close and Real Sociedad produced 15 assists and added 14 ence leaders the Utah Jazz. title race. were dangerous on the break, just rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets Luka Doncic continued his su- Barcelona kept their own resur- unable to find the final pass to make earned a 124-113 overtime win perb form for the Dallas Maver- gence going on Saturday by over- their openings count. against the San Antonio Spurs. icks with 33 points, nine assists coming Sevilla and now sit level They made it count 10 minutes on points with Real Madrid, having into the second half, the ball quickly Harden’s display helped se- and 10 rebounds in a 130-124 also played one game fewer than shifted through midfield and out to cure a ninth win in 10 matches win over the Orlando Magic. the leaders. Real Sociedad sit fifth, the left, where Nacho Monreal had and a first success on the road at Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic the top four seemingly out of reach. time to launch a cross to the back San Antonio since 2002. also went close to a triple-dou- Madrid had 20 shots to Real So- post. It was his seventh triple- ble by notching 39 points, 14 re- ciedad’s six but lacked edge in the Ferland Mendy looked like he final third, with the injured Karim would clear but instead was caught double since moving from the bounds and nine assists as they Benzema watching on from the under the ball, allowing Portu to Houston Rockets to join the beat the Chicago Bulls 118-112. Toni Kroos (R) heads the ball with Real Sociedad’s Spanish midfielder stands. jump and send a brilliant header Nets in January. Jokic became the first Nug- Martin Zubimendi during Monday’s 1-1 draw “We’ve had games where we won across Courtois and into the net. The Nets move second behind gets player to score 35 points or and maybe we didnt deserve to win Madrid’s pressure would come but Eastern Conference leaders more in at least 10 games in a MADRID (Dispatches) - Real Ma- of Real Madrid, an advantage that is as well, we can’t change anything,” Real Sociedad could have made it drid’s chances of chasing down La now only cut to five ahead of next said Madrid coach Zidane. “We two, only for Alexander Isak to fall Philadelphia 76ers, who beat season since Carmelo Anthony Liga leaders Atletico Madrid were week’s Madrid derby at the Wanda have to keep going. There is a long just short of Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass the Indiana Pacers 130-114. in 2009-10. dealt a blow on Monday as they need- Metropolitano. Atletico also have a way to go.” across. Harden’s former Houston The Portland Trail Blazers ed a late Vinicius Junior equalizer to game in hand. Benzema could return for the der- Zidane sent Vinicius, Rodrygo team fell to their 12th consecu- ended a four-game losing streak secure a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad. The result ends Real Madrid’s by and one positive for Zidane was and Hugo Duro on and there were It could have been worse for Zin- run of five consecutive wins while the sight of others returning, with chances. Casemiro and Duro both tive defeat, their worst run since with a 123-111 win over the edine Zidane’s side, with Vinicius’ Portu’s brilliant header for Real So- Fede Valverde, Marcelo and Ro- missed headers while Rodrygo the 2001-02 season, as Collin Charlotte Hornets. finish in the 89th minute preventing ciedad early in the second half was drygo all back in his squad. skewed wide before Vinicius struck Sexton poured in 39 points for Veteran Anthony scored 29 what would have been a damaging also the first goal conceded by the Madrid had the better chances in one minute from time, steering in the Cleveland Cavaliers in a points and Damian Lillard col- defeat after a weekend in which reigning champions in five games. an entertaining first half, the best of Lucas Vazquez’s cross when given 101-90 win. lected 23 points for Portland, both Atletico and Barcelona had It represents an important shift in them falling to Mariano Diaz at the space in the box. won. momentum. A few days ago Atleti- back post but he headed against the Duro even had a chance to win it Elsewhere, Zion Williamson while LaMelo Ball continued Atletico’s victory over Villarreal co might have hoped just to hold on crossbar under pressure from a yard but headed over, Real Sociedad sur- and Brandon Ingram scored 26 his strong season for Charlotte on Sunday put them six points clear to first place next weekend but now out.