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Wednesday, July 1, 2020 FOOTBALL Dhul-Qa’da 10, 1441 AH Lampard GULF TIMES hails Chelsea’s ‘men of steel’ SPORT Page 2

OPINION Education City Stadium’s completion a key step on the road to 2022 World Cup ‘TO ME, IT WAS FITTING THAT THE CEREMONY WAS DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO ARE WORKING ON THE FRONTLINE’

By Xavi Hernandez working hard to feed us, look af- tion of Education City Stadium. Doha ter us, provide medicine and take It signalled better times ahead The new brand stranded people home to their and also the progress Qatar con- Education City families. Your eff orts through- tinues to make in the face of so Stadium. PICTURE: arlier this month, from out this once-in-a-lifetime cri- many challenges. Noushad Thekkayil my home in Qatar, I sis make you the real heroes of To me, it was fi tting that the watched intently as the our generation. And for that, I ceremony was dedicated to those Ecountry announced the am eternally grateful to each and who are working on the frontline. completion of Education City every one of you. It made me proud to be part of Stadium and paid tribute to Qatar, where I currently live this journey with Qatar and the frontline healthcare workers – in with my family, has not been Supreme Committee for this country and beyond – who spared from this crisis. It has & Legacy – for whom I have been pandemic. These sentiments sponsibility) to truly make a dif- ing in many parts of the world. Cup in 2022 the event which have risked their lives to help us been a challenging time – but an ambassador since 2016. were also echoed by Qatar 2022 ference in delivering not only the The pandemic has been a life les- brings the world together after all during these unprecedented thanks to the eff ort and work of My fellow ambassador, Tim CEO Nasser al-Khater on beIN greatest World Cup in tourna- son for us all. I think we will all the pandemic, and I look forward circumstances. the authorities and all the popu- Cahill, wrote a piece recently SPORTS during the launch show. ment history, but also a uniquely appreciate the little things in life – now more than ever before – to I must start this piece by lation, I do see some light at the saying that Qatar 2022 has a I could not agree more with unifying tournament that pulls after this testing time. this tournament truly delivering thanking our key workers in the end of this long, dark tunnel, unique opportunity to be the both Tim and Nasser. All of us, us together, after this unprec- I believe football is the best something more than amazing… healthcare sector, along with both here and around the world. means to help those who have including fans, players, coaches, edented period of separation. and most powerful tool to unite something unique. At a time those working in essential activi- One clear symbolic sign of suff ered so much in this health ambassadors, country leaders I have no doubt that football cultures, countries and people when the world needs it most. ties, for their dedication during hope was this month’s an- crisis, given it is likely to be the and residents of the region, have will help us return to some kind of all backgrounds. We have the Take care of yourselves and these months. All of them are nouncement about the comple- fi rst global football event post- an amazing opportunity (and re- of normalcy. The sport is resum- opportunity to make the World your loved ones.

CRICKET Pakistan squad in UK test negative for virus AFP the virus last week will have to stay in secure training camp at the Ageas Bowl the time they face Pakistan, with their ence in their bowling,” captain Azhar London Pakistan for now after failing further ahead of next week’s opening Test home series against West Indies next said before leaving for England on tests. against the West Indies. month to be played in the same kind of Sunday. Mohamed Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, This fi rst fi xture in the three-match bio-secure environment. “But we have the skills: (our bowl- ll 20 players and 11 manage- Mohamed Hasnain, Shadab Khan, series will mark the return of major in- Pakistan left England with their ers) are young and have a lot to offer. ment personnel in the Paki- Mohamed Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman ternational cricket from lockdown. heads held high after their last two They can give trouble to any team in stan touring party have test- are now eligible to travel to England Meanwhile, coach Misbah-ul-Haq tours, drawing both, most recently the world. , Dom Sibley, Aed negative for coronavirus and join the original squad that left has left no stone unturned in his prep- under Misbah in 2018. Joe Denly and are vying since arriving in Britain, the England on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board arations but Pakistan still look decid- But England have not lost a home se- for the top three spots in England’s and Wales Cricket Board said yester- said. edly undercooked for their three-Test ries since 2014 and Pakistan’s callow top order and Azhar saw an opportu- day. “All the six players were re-tested on series against England in August-Sep- pace attack looks ill-equipped to end nity. “Looking at their , their The ECB added that England’s latest Monday, following their fi rst negative tember. that streak. top order has been fragile for some round of tests, for their training group test on June 26,” the PCB confi rmed. Skipper Azhar Ali and his squad Of their frontline quicks, only time since Alastair Cook retired,” he and management conducted on Mon- However, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhat- will discover how much cricket has Mohamed Abbas has played Test said. day had also yielded a complete set of ti, Haider Ali and Haris Rauf tested changed in the six months since their matches in England, with the excit- Pakistan’s bowlers will also be able negative results. positive for a second time. last test, with Covid-19 curbs putting a ing Shaheen Afridi and 17-year-old to call upon the knowledge and expe- England players and staff have now They will not be allowed to travel to stop to the use of saliva to shine the ball Naseem Shah having only 12 Test caps rience of coaches and had three Covid-19 tests. England until they have recorded two and forcing games to be played without between them. Mushtaq Ahmed, who won a Test se- The ECB’s announcement followed consecutive negative tests. fans. The bulk of the squad arrived on Medium pacer Sohail Khan, who ries in England in 1996. a statement from Pakistan that six Pakistan will play three Tests and Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq Sunday after clearing a battery of tests toured England in 2016 but has not Former captain Younis Khan has also more players had been cleared to join three internationals against and the matches will be staged in a bio- played a Test since the Boxing Day come on board as batting coach for the the tour after recording two successive England starting in August, with the 14-day mandatory quarantine period secure bubble, which will undoubtedly match in Australia that year, has been series and has emphasized the impor- negative Covid-19 tests. exact dates still to be confi rmed. before intra-squad practice games. take some time to get used to. recalled to add his experience. tance of Pakistan’s batsmen posting But the other four of the 10 play- The Pakistan squad arrived in Eng- A 30-strong England squad and England, however, should be well- “In terms of number of games, of a fi rst-innings total in excess of 300 ers who originally tested positive for land late Sunday and have started a support staff are currently in a bio- versed in cricket’s ‘new normal’ by course England have tons of experi- runs. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, July 1, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS UEFA insists ‘no Plan B’ for CL amid virus concerns AFP UEFA announced earlier this edges of Lisbon will go back into Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig Lausanne month that the latter stages of lockdown. and Atalanta all qualifi ed for the Champions League would be Gatherings will be limited to a the quarter-fi nals before the staged exceptionally as a straight maximum of fi ve people in these competition was suspended in EFA president Ale- knockout competition from the areas, compared to 10 people March. ksander Ceferin insists quarter-fi nals onwards with all in the wider Lisbon area and 20 The remaining last 16, sec- Uthere is “no reason to matches in Lisbon. people across the rest of Portu- ond legs are: Juventus v Lyon; prepare a Plan B” for Earlier this month, Ceferin gal. Manchester City v Real Madrid; the fi nal eight of the Champions said UEFA was “assessing the However, Costa is confi dent Bayern Munich v Chelsea and League in Lisbon despite Portu- situation, not week by week but the Champions League will not Barcelona v Napoli. guese authorities reintroducing day by day, and we will adapt be aff ected and said “all meas- It is hoped those matches – set restrictions to curb the spread of when the time comes, if neces- ures are being taken to ensure for August 7 and 8 – will not need coronavirus. sary”. that we will host this tourna- to be played on neutral ground “I am confi dent that with the Portugal had not suff ered to ment in a safe and secure man- but they could also be moved to continued and constant collabo- the same extent as other western ner”. Portugal, with UEFA standing ration between all stakeholders, European countries during the The fi nal eight is due to begin by to spread the matches around we will conclude the season in pandemic but last week Prime with the fi rst quarter-fi nal on the country, in Lisbon as well as a positive way in Lisbon. There Minister Costa announced that August 12, with the fi nal sched- in the northern cities of Porto is no need for a Plan B,” Ceferin some coronavirus restrictions uled for August 23. and Guimaraes. said after a video-conference would be reimposed in and Matches will be played at Ceferin has admitted that it is meeting with Portuguese Prime around the capital to help con- Benfi ca’s Estadio da Luz and the unlikely any of the matches will Minister Antonio Costa and the trol fresh outbreaks. nearby Estadio Jose Alvalade, be played in front of crowds but head of the Portuguese football From Wednesday, 19 neigh- home of Sporting. said UEFA would re-assess the Federation yesterday. bourhoods on the northern Atletico Madrid, Paris situation in July. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

EPL SPOTLIGHT Ibrahimovic set to return to Milan squad Coach Lampard hails Reuters Milan

latan Ibrahimovic is set to return to the AC ZMilan squad follow- ing a calf muscle injury Chelsea’s men of steel which has kept him out since the season resumed, coach Stefano Pioli said yesterday, describing the 38-year-old Swede as a hungry lion. Pioli said that Ibrahimovic, who returned for a second stint in January and injured his aft er perfect restart calf in training in late May dur- ing the coronavirus stoppage, ‘We showed steel against Man City, it’s something we must improve and get better at’ was likely to be included in the squad for the match away to lowly SPAL today. latan Ibrahimovic Reuters “Ibrahimovic is doing well. London He’s a lion, he’s always hungry. has slowly but surely begun to He had a great training ses- turn things around. sion yesterday, if he repeats “It takes time to build a team helsea manager Frank that today and gives me the and make it grow while imple- Lampard believes his all clear then he’ll be in the menting your own ideas. But Cplayers have shown steel squad,” Pioli told Milan’s tel- we mustn’t look back, we have to grind out results and evision channel. Milan, who to live out these moments with developed a knack of converting dropped to 14th at one point full attention and intensity,” goalscoring chances in a perfect this season, have lost only two said Pioli. restart to the 2019-20 campaign. matches since the start of the “There are 30 points up for Lampard, whose Chelsea side year and have climbed to sev- grabs for us to try and achieve booked an FA Cup semi-fi nal enth and may be on course for our goal. Our current average spot with a 1-0 win over Leices- a Europa League place. of two points a game is an ex- ter City at the weekend, has Pioli was appointed in Oc- cellent fi gure. We’re hoping to also guided the team to Premier tober to replace Marco Giam- keep it up, and we’re hoping League victories over Aston Villa paolo, who was fi red after only that it will be enough to qualify and second-placed Manchester seven games of the season, and for Europe.” City. While some English clubs have struggled to get going since the resumption earlier this African Cup of Nations postponed month, Chelsea have scored fi ve from January next year to 2022 goals in three matches as they continue to gather momentum Next January’s Africa Cup of all competitions for Dort- for the season run-in. Nations finals in Cameroon mund this season, scoring “I’m happy to win games and have been postponed by one nine goals and providing 10 with elements of the games year and will now take place assists to help the team finish we’ve played, particularly the in 2022, the Confederation second in the Bundesliga. fi rst two,” Lampard told a news of African Football (CAF) de- “The moment has come to conference ahead Chelsea’s cided yesterday. The Covid-19 bring a great period of my life league clash against London ri- health crisis has suspended to a close,” Hakimi wrote on vals West Ham United today. football across most of the Instagram. “After two marvel- “We showed steel against Man continent since March and lous years, I have to leave this City, it’s something we must im- left little time to complete the club which has given me so prove and get better at. qualification competition, said many happy moments.” “We have had a lot of games CAF president Ahmad Ahmad where we have had chances but at a news conference. The MATIP OUT OF not converted. We have shown a Cup of Nations were due to be LIVERPOOL’S FINAL SEVEN good eye for it (since the restart). held from January 9-February GAMES DUE TO INJURY We have created a lot. We are 6 next year but will now be Liverpool defender Joel scoring more regularly and we’ll scheduled for January 2022. Matip will miss the remainder strive for more.” “This decision was taken due of the season due to a foot Chelsea’s two new signings to the uncertainties about the injury, the Premier League Timo Werner and Hakim Zi- coronavirus health situation champions said yesterday. yech will offi cially join the club Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup quarter-final match against Leicester City at and especially because of Centre back Matip, who has on Wednesday, with Lampard King Power Stadium in Leicester on Sunday. (AFP) the scheduling problems been limited to 13 games in currently working out a plan to since four rounds of qualifiers all competitions this season, integrate the pair into the fi rst- physical work in the shorter term 18th and 19th due to a higher goal day. “The big thing fi rst though we are in at the moment we need would need to be fitted into sustained the injury during team squad. for themselves.” diff erence. is to win our next four or fi ve Mark Noble because he knows the October and November Liverpool’s goalless draw with Ziyech and Werner arrive from However, the London club games and make sure we are a what it means, he has been there. windows for international local rivals Everton earlier this Ajax Amsterdam and RB Leipzig WEST HAM’S TOP-FLIGHT are without a win since the sea- Premier League club.” “He can take on jobs that many matches,” said Ahmad. month. He also missed their respectively but are ineligible to FUTURE COULD BE DECIDED son resumed after the Covid-19 Moyes said midfi elder Mark others can’t, take responsibility 4-0 home win over Crystal play for Chelsea for the rest of ON FINAL DAY, SAYS MOYES hiatus, having lost both their Noble would be crucial to when the chips are down and he’s HAKIMI OFF TO INTER IN Palace last week. “This season the current season. Relegation-threatened West matches ahead of Wednesday’s West Ham’s fortunes with the doing everything he can.” 50MN EURO MOVE FROM I will be not back on the pitch “Hakim hasn’t played for a Ham United’s Premier League game against fourth-placed 33-year-old having had experi- Moyes added that French REAL MADRID: REPORTS but for next season, I hope I’m while and Timo fi nished at the survival bid could be decided in Chelsea. ence in keeping the club up in striker Sebastien Haller, the Morocco right back Achraf going to be quite early a di- weekend,” Lampard added. their fi nal game against fellow “I always thought it could, al- past seasons. club’s top scorer with seven Hakimi is set to join Inter rect help for the team,” Matip “We will formulate a plan for strugglers Aston Villa, manager ways felt there was a good possi- “Reliable, resilient, a leader, goals this season, and Italian Milan from Real Madrid for 50 told Liverpool’s website. The them which will look slightly David Moyes said yesterday. bility of that when you looked at all words to describe him, he’s defender Angelo Ogbonna were million euros ($56.05 million) 28-year-old missed 84 days of diff erent individually and I’ll West Ham are 17th in the the fi xtures,” Moyes told report- got it all,” Moyes said. back in training after recovering after spending two years on action earlier in the campaign decide how it looks at the train- standings with 27 points with ers in a virtual news conference “There are times where we will from hip and hamstring injuries loan at Borussia Dortmund, due to a knee injury before ing ground, whether that means seven games to play, ahead of when asked about a potential have to look after him because he respectively, but were not yet Spanish newspapers AS and returning in January. mixing with the squad or some Bournemouth and Aston Villa in relegation decider on the fi nal is a bit older, but the situation match fi t. Marca said yesterday. Hakimi was photographed arriving in FRENCH FEDERATION Milan yesterday for a medical SCRAPS EXTRA TIME and also published a farewell IN FRENCH CUP GAMES Arsenal’s Arteta counts on home form to qualify for Europe letter to Dortmund on his In- There will be no extra time in stagram account. The report French Cup games as of next Arsenal have little room for win over Sheff ield United on ahead of us so the margin for er- was signed last year but loaned in AS said the 21-year-old is season, with the exception of error if they are to qualify for Sunday was also away. ror is minimal. At home we have back to St Etienne, will complete about to sign a five-year con- the final, the French Football European competition next today’s s match against bottom to be very strong if we have any the season with the Ligue 1 club tract with Inter. A product of federation (FFF) said yester- season and will count on their side Norwich City will be their chance of finishing in European so he can play in the French Cup Real’s academy, Hakimi made day. “From the first round up home form to climb up the first at the Emirates Stadium places,” Arteta told reporters. final against Paris St Germain on 16 appearances for their first to and including the semi- table, manager Mikel Arteta since the restart. The north “We really want to play at home, July 24. “He’s been over there team in the 2017-18 season finals, in the event of a draw said yesterday. London side picked up 13 points that’s where we enjoy (playing) all year, he’s earned his right to but his long-term prospects at the end of time, the game Arsenal, 10th in the standings, in their last five home games more. But obviously, not having play that final if the manager were limited by the consist- should be directly decided on have played three consecutive before the COVID-19 lockdown. the fans is a tremendous disad- wants to do that. We have to ency of Dani Carvajal and the penalties,” the minutes of the away games since the Premier “Every game is going to be vantage.” give him the opportunity to do signing of Spain international FFF’s executive committee, League’s restart this month, a must-win game from now Arteta confirmed 19-year-old that, to enjoy that and we’ll have Alvaro Odriozola in 2018. published by French sports while their FA Cup quarter-final because we have a few teams centre back William Saliba, who him after,” Arteta said. He made 45 appearances in daily L’Equipe, showed. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 1, 2020 3 SPORT

FOCUS REPORT Nets’ stars Jordan and Dinwiddie test Lakers set to sign positive for Covid-19 guard Smith for rest of NBA season Cleveland waived Smith last summer and he has not yet played for a team this season

By Tania Ganguli Los Angeles Times

he Lakers are working to sign guard J R Smith Tfor the rest of the sea- son, according to peo- ple familiar with the situation, which would reunite LeBron James with his former Cleveland teammate as the Lakers head to Florida for the resumption of the NBA season. Smith, 34, will be added to re- place Avery Bradley, who decided to not join the team in Florida be- cause of family reasons. Once Bra- File photo of DeAndre Jordan of the Brooklyn Nets. (AFP) dley is offi cially listed as a player who opted out of the league’s re- AFP “including fever and chest sumption, the team can add Smith Los Angeles tightness”. as a replacement player — no ear- He said it remained unclear lier than 9am today. whether he would be able In order to be able to join the rooklyn Nets center to play in Orlando, where 22 team, replacement players must DeAndre Jordan will teams will be based for the re- follow a protocol to ensure their not play again this mainder of the season. ability to safely join a team at the Bseason and teammate Players are due to travel to secluded ESPN Wide World of Spencer Dinwiddie’s partici- Florida for training camp in Sports campus next month. pation is also in doubt after early July, and the teams will According to the league’s health both tested positive for the play games without fans in a and safety manual, any player coronavirus on Monday. “bubble” designed to shield signed to a contract after June 23 The NBA is planning to go players and team staff from the has to complete a questionnaire ahead with its restart plans at outside world. about his medical history, be ex- Disney World in Orlando on It is a further blow to play- amined by team doctors who will July 30, despite Florida is bat- off ambitions of the Nets who review whether or not he is at risk tling a surge in coronavirus are already without stars Kyrie of complications because of Cov- cases in the past few days. Irving and Kevin Durant be- id-19 and undergo Covid-19 test- “Found out last night and cause of injury. ing that follows the same protocol confi rmed again today that On Sunday another Nets the rest of the team had to follow. I’ve tested positive for Covid player, forward Wilson Chan- Lakers players were administered while being back in market. dler, ruled himself out of the drive-up tests for both the vi- As a result of this, I will not be NBA’s restarted season, cit- rus and its antibodies on June 23. in Orlando for the resumption ing safety fears because of the Teams have until July 1 to fi nal- of the season,” Jordan said on coronavirus. ize their rosters and travel party, J R Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during a warm up session prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday on Twitter. Chandler told ESPN he had which can include 35 people, for October 21, 2018. (TNS) Guard Dinwiddie told sports opted to skip the restart in Or- the league’s return to play. The news site The Athletic that he lando in order to spend more Lakers fi rst of eight games before success this season. He started their lineup. He was scheduled had experienced symptoms time with his family. the playoff s will take place on July alongside James, Anthony Davis, to join the South Bay Lakers, the NBA to paint ‘Black Lives Matter’ 30 against the Clippers and will be Danny Green and JaVale McGee. team’s developmental affi liate, on Disney courts televised on TNT at 6pm. His defensive intensity and skill just before the season was inter- MLB The fi rst round of the playoff s helped the Lakers, and in March rupted. he NBA’s plan to high- police reform since the death of will begin Aug 17. Teams will be he was on a hot streak shoot- Smith also performed well dur- light social-justice is- George Floyd prompted nation- sequestered in their hotels and on ing three-pointers. During times ing his workout, which led the sues when play restarts wide and worldwide protests. Treportedly will start NBPA president Chris Paul, an the ESPN Wide World of Sports when Bradley was injured, the Lakers to keep him in mind. He Rockies’ Desmond campus for as long as they play. Lakers relied on Kentavious Cald- started his career as a fi rst-round from the ground up. Oklahoma City Thunder guard, The last possible day of the NBA well-Pope to fi ll his spot. pick by the New Orleans Hornets The courts that will be used recently told ESPN that the Finals is October 13. Once Bradley decided not to in 2004. He was the league’s Sixth for games at the ESPN Wide players got permission from the to skip season over When the season halted on play, the team resumed previous Man of the Year while playing for World of Sports Complex near league to wear words promot- March 11, because of concerns conversations with Smith’s repre- the Knicks in the 2012-13 season. Orlando, Fla., will have “Black ing social justice in place of about the Covid-19 pandemic, the sentatives. The Knicks traded him to the Lives Matter” painted on them, their names on uniforms. virus concerns Lakers were leading the Western Smith is represented by Klutch Cavaliers in January of 2015. He ESPN reported on Monday. “We’re just trying to continue Conference, having recently de- Sports Group, which also rep- was with James for four consecu- The NBA will use three arenas to shed light on the diff erent feated the Clippers and league- resents James, Davis, Caldwell- tive Finals appearances, including at the Disney site as 22 of the social justice issues that guys leading Milwaukee Bucks. The Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker and 2016 when the Cavaliers won the league’s 30 teams conclude around our league continue to Lakers led the Western Confer- Dion Waiters. Smith originally city’s fi rst championship in more the regular season beginning talk about day in and day out,” ence with a record of 49-14, and worked out for the Lakers on than 50 years. July 30. Paul said. “People are saying had secured the organization’s March 2, the same day Waiters During the 2018-19 season, The National Basketball Players that social justice will be off of fi rst playoff berth since 2013. They did, and the team opted to sign the year James joined the Lakers, Association and the league everybody’s mind in Orlando. have hopes of winning their fi rst Waiters instead. Smith only played in 11 games. have discussed methods to pro- With these jerseys, it doesn’t go championship since 2010. Waiters has yet to play for the Cleveland waived Smith last sum- mote messages of equality and away.” Bradley was a big part of their Lakers, who were easing him into mer and he has not yet played for a

NFL

Barrett casts doubt on long-term Ian Desmond of the Colorado Rockies. (AFP)

Reuters got racist, sexist, homopho- Los Angeles bic jokes or fl at-out problems. We’ve got cheating. contract with Buccaneers “We’ve got a minority is- Reuters something out,” he said. “But the olorado Rockies out- sue from the top down. One Los Angeles franchise tag, it wasn’t like 50-50, fi elder has said he African American GM (general like if I don’t get something done Shaquil Barrett joined the Tampa will sit out the Ma- manager). Two African Amer- Bay Buccaneers last off season C I’m going to sign that for sure. jor League Baseball ican managers. Less than 8% ranchise-tagged outside We’re still trying to work to get on a one-year, $4mn deal. (TNS) (MLB) season, citing the risks Black players. No Black major- linebacker Shaquil Bar- something done and we were just of playing during the Covid-19 ity team owners. Frett doesn’t expect to reach going to wait as long as we could. pandemic as well as concerns “Perhaps most dishearten- agreement on a long-term “I will most defi nitely be here over the lack of Black repre- ing of all is a puzzling lack of contract with the Tampa Bay Buc- next year.” sentation in the sport. focus on understanding how caneers before the July 15 deadline, Prior to his breakout season, “The Covid-19 pandemic to change those numbers.” he said Monday. Barrett had 14 sacks and 35 QB hits has made this baseball sea- Desmond also said he want- “Long-term will probably be across 61 games (16 starts) in fi ve son one that is a risk I am not ed to fi x the youth baseball pretty hard with the situation of seasons with the Denver Broncos. comfortable taking,” Desmond system in Sarasota, Florida, the world right now,” Barrett said He joined the Bucs last off season wrote on his Instagram ac- and help his children under- in an appearance on SiriusXM NFL on a one-year, $4 mn deal. count. stand the civil rights move- Radio. “I think we’re working on a Contract negotiations across “With a pregnant wife and ment in the country. deal, but it probably won’t be long the league have been complicated four young children who have Desmond joins a growing (term).” by the coronavirus pandemic and lots of questions about what’s list of players who have cho- Barrett, 27, was tagged by the expected decreases in revenue, going on in the world, home is sen to sit out the shortened Buccaneers after racking up an making future salary cap fi gures where I need to be right now.” 60-game season which is set NFL-best 19.5 sacks and 37 quar- diffi cult to predict. Once expected The 34-year-old also spoke to begin either on July 23 or 24. terback hits in 2019. to rise signifi cantly, the cap could about the need for more Black On Monday, Washing- Tagged players have until July 15 fl atten or decrease in 2021. The representation in baseball and ton Nationals infi elder Ryan to sign an extension before being NFL and players union reportedly posed questions about why Zimmerman — a long-time locked into their one-year salary. plan to discuss ways to smooth the the game was not accessible to teammate of Desmond — and Barrett confi rmed Monday that if cap and avoid any extreme dip or underprivileged children. pitcher Joe Ross said they no deal is reached, he would sign spike. “We’ve got rampant indi- would not help the team de- the tag and play on the accompa- The Buccaneers have $4.2mn in vidualism on the fi eld,” Des- fend their World Series title nying $15.8mn salary for 2020. cap room for 2020, according to the mond, a two-time All-Star, over health concerns related to “We’re just still trying to work NFLPA’s most recent report. added. “In clubhouses we’ve Covid-19. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, July 1, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Qatar SportsTech opens applications for its Accelerator Program By Sports Reporter exposure. During the programme, ference. I would also like to thank all Doha accelerated startups will have access of our local and global partners for to QST’s global partners’ network, their continuous support.” and the opportunity to work closely Heba Almasri, Managing Direc- atar SportsTech (QST), the with the key industry players driving tor at QST, commented, “We are region’s fi rst startup ac- Qatar’s sports industry, including excited to welcome new innovative Qcelerator and hub for in- QDB and QST’s strategic partners: ideas that will reshape the future of novative sportstech com- Supreme Committee for Delivery sports on a global scale. Thanks to panies, has opened applications for & Legacy, Qatar Financial Centre the support of our partners and the the third cohort of its Accelerator (QFC), Aspire Zone Foundation, dedication of our mentors, we have Program in Qatar, set to start in Sep- beIN Media Group and the Ministry seen a large demand to join the pre- tember 2020. of Commerce & Industry. vious cohorts. I have no doubt that The intensive three-month Ac- QST’s second cohort, who just the coming cohort will leave its own celerator Program will run from completed their Demo Day in June, mark with new innovative projects September 20-13 December 2020 in came from eight diff erent countries that will scale up to global levels, Aspire Zone. The programme is de- and worked with top global organi- from Qatar to the world.” signed to help participant innovative sations, including Qatar Airways, Applications to the Accelerator startups accelerate their growth and Microsoft, Serie A, Gucci, Primeira Program will remain open until 31st further develop their solutions in the Liga Portugal, Benfi ca TV and oth- July at 11:59pm, with the shortlisted industry, in line with QST’s vision ers. candidates invited to a Selection to be a catalyst for reshaping sports Commenting on the launch of ap- Day with QST’s partners, to be held technology in the region and beyond. plications for the third cohort, Ibra- early September this year. The pro- Startups participating in QST’s him Abdulaziz al-Mannai, Executive gramme will end in December with Accelerator Program will have the Director of Advisory & Incubation a large Demo-Day event, where each opportunity to engage in specialised at QDB, said: “We highly encourage of the 10 startups will showcase their workshops hosted by international local and international sportstech business and their progress during experts; one-on-one mentoring startups with innovative solutions to the programme, to QST partners, sessions with more than 250 indus- leverage this opportunity and sup- potential investors and members of try specialists; partner support from port Qatar’s commitment to posi- the press. world-class professionals and glo- tioning itself as a leading sports hub Sportstech startups who are in- bal leaders in sports tech; support globally. QST’s Accelerator Program terested in applying can visit QST’s from QST’s founding partner, Qatar is dedicated to growing the sports website qatarsportstech.com to fi nd Development Bank (QDB), includ- industry and sportstech startups out more about the requirements Startups participating in QST’s Accelerator Program will have the opportunity to engage in specialised workshops hosted by ing an initial investment, and media that are bold enough to make a dif- and how to apply. international experts.

FOCUS TENNIS Kyrgios, Becker in war of words over Zverev’s Rugby’s World Sevens partying video

AFP Berlin

oris Becker and Nick Series cancelled over Kyrgios exchanged Bverbal blows yester- day on Twitter after ‘The health and well-being of the the Australian branded fellow tennis star Alexander Zverev rugby community and wider society “selfi sh” for partying during the coronavirus pandemic, de- remains the number one priority’ spite promising to self-isolate. coronavirus German legend Becker, a six-time Grand Slam winner, took umbrage with Kyrgios’ comment over viral footage of Zverev partying despite pledg- to do what he has done, I’ll call ing to “follow self-isolating him out for it. Simple.” guidelines” after playing in Kyrgios followed up with: Novak Djokovic’s coronavi- “@TheBorisBecker is a big- rus-hit Adria Tour. ger doughnut than I thought. Zverev took part in the ex- Can hit a volley, obviously not hibition event organised by the sharpest tool in the shed Djokovic, who last week tested though.” positive for COVID-19 along Seemingly in an attempt to with Grigor Dimitrov, Borna cool the spat, Becker replied: Coric and Viktor Troicki. “You’re funny guy....how is it The 23-year-old Zverev down under? Respect all the tested negative and vowed guidelines?” to isolate but was purport- However Kyrgios, who has edly fi lmed at a busy bar over never advanced past the quar- the weekend, leading an ex- ter-fi nals of a Grand Slam, asperated Kyrgios to slam his dismissed the former world behaviour on Instagram on number one, saying: “Haha Monday. Becker, the head of nah bro I’m good, don’t act like German men’s tennis, stood you’re my friend now because up for his compatriot and fi red you got sat down.” back at Kyrgios yesterday. Becker, a former coach to “Don’t like no #rats! Any- 17-time Grand Slam winner body telling off fellow sports- Djokovic, was unimpressed. man/woman is no friend of “I really would like to see @ mine! Look yourself in the NickKyrgios fulfi ll his poten- mirror and think you’re better tial and win a grand slam! He than us... @NickKyrgios.” would be an incredible role Kyrgios quickly responded model for the youth of the amid of fl urry of back-and- world addressing the issues of forth tweets. equality/race/heritage! Man “For goodness sake Boris, up buddy and deliver!” wrote I’m not competing or trying to Becker. throw anyone under the bus,” Kyrgios criticised Becker for he wrote. defending Zverev, who he says “It’s a global pandemic and should apologise for breaking if someone is as idiotic as Alex his promise. In this file photo taken on April 6, 2019, Paula Dranisinukula (left) of Fiji off loads the ball as Sam Dickson (right) of New Zealand tackles on the second day Biggar, Lawes sign new deals of the Hong Kong Sevens. (AFP) with Northampton AFP London

ngland second row and EWales fl y half Dan AFP rugby community and the wider society remains the number in 2016. sevens season hands the All Biggar signed con- Hong Kong public as top priority,” a World one priority,” said World Rugby “We are of course disappoint- Blacks their 13th title after they tract extensions with North- Rugby statement said. chairman Bill Beaumont. ed not to be hosting the world- won three of the six tourna- ampton yesterday. Hong Kong had been due to “These diffi cult decisions famous Hong Kong Sevens for ments possible before play was Lawes had been linked with he remainder of this be the fi nal stop of the rejigged have been taken following de- the fi rst time in 45 years,” Hong halted. a move to French rugby but year’s World Rugby Sev- sevens calendar after it was tailed consultation with our Kong chief execu- New Zealand lost only three the 31-year-old has agreed ens Series has been can- moved from its traditional April union partners and in line with tive Robbie McRobbie said in a games along the way and led to stay with the club he has in to what we’re trying to T served since emerging as an achieve, and committed to celled over the corona- slot because of the pandemic. advice from the various govern- statement. the standings with 115 points, 11 virus, the sport’s governing body The Hong Kong Sevens, ment and public health agencies “But we understand the ex- ahead of second-placed South academy graduate. staying with us for an ad- said yesterday, with the fl agship which had been held every year around the world.” traordinary circumstances sur- Africa. World Cup finalist Lawes ditional two or three years, is Hong Kong tournament among since 1976, is an important rounding today’s cancellation The Black Ferns, New Zea- was one of 19 players, also a huge coup for Saints. fi ve events called off . source of revenue and prestige ‘EXTRAORDINARY of the remainder of the series.” land’s women’s team, seal back- including Biggar, to commit “The connection and coop- Tournaments in Langford in for the city which has endured CIRCUMSTANCES’ Like other sports, Covid-19 to-back titles after winning four their futures to the English eration of our players to back Canada, London, Paris, Singa- severe political upheaval over Hong Kong rugby offi cials ex- has played havoc with interna- tournaments in a row in Dubai, Premiership club. the club long-term has been pore and Hong Kong will not be the past year, as well as the pressed disappointment at the tional rugby, with all July Tests Cape Town, Hamilton and Syd- , Teimana Har- great to see. played this year, with the men’s coronavirus pandemic. demise of their tournament, cancelled. ney to top the table by 16 points. rison, , George “We firmly believe we have and women’s titles both award- “While it is very disappoint- which has been scheduled to re- The southern hemisphere- “While this probably isn’t Furbank and Rory Hutchinson the players in place already ed to pacesetters New Zealand. ing for players, fans, organisers turn in early April. based Super Rugby competi- the way the teams would have were among the others to at Franklin’s Gardens to “The decision follows de- and everyone involved to have The colourful, three-day tion has also been suspended liked to claim the series titles, stay at Franklin’s Gardens. compete at the very highest tailed and constructive dialogue to cancel these events due to tournament is the signature and temporarily replaced with it is a refl ection of the impres- Saints director of rugby Chris level of English and European with the host and participating the global Covid-19 pandemic, event of the World Sevens Series domestic tournaments in New sive form they were in,” New Boyd said: “Getting so many rugby, and to challenge for unions, and has been taken with the health and wellbeing of the and was a driving force behind Zealand and Australia. Zealand Rugby chief executive influential players bought every trophy available to us.” the health and well-being of the rugby community and wider rugby’s return to the Olympics The premature end of the Mark Robinson said. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 1, 2020 5 SPORT

CRICKET ROUND-UP Australia still eyeing one-day England Silverwood backs tour, says Finch ustralia are still prepar- ing to tour England, Awhite-ball cricket cap- tain Aaron Finch said Stokes to step up yesterday, even as the pandemic forced the postponement of a series against Zimbabwe slated for August. The team were “con- scious of being ultra-fl exible” under the coronavirus restric- tions but were still mentally as England captain preparing to head to England for a planned limited-overs tour, 'I think he’ll do a great job. He is a talisman, he leads from the front anyway' Finch said. “As a player I know that in my mind I am preparing to go AFP to England and play,” he said. London “Whether that happens — we’ll wait and see.” Even in Australia, which has ngland coach Chris Silverwood dealt well in suppressing the is confi dent “talisman” Ben virus, the recent spike of cases EStokes will lead from the front in in Melbourne was proof players fi rst-class debut in 2003. ’s absence during next could never be certain when He played 142 games for Eng- week’s fi rst Test against the West Indies. they would play again, he added. land in all formats, impressing Stokes is set to captain England for the “There might be a tour [which] during the 2010/11 Ashes series fi rst time after it was confi rmed yesterday comes up at relatively short victory in Australia. that regular skipper Root would miss the notice because we can get there Bresnan’s existing Yorkshire series opener at the Ageas Bowl to be with and that’ll be brilliant. Whatever contract was due to run out at his wife Carrie, who is expecting the cou- it takes... whatever we have to do the end of the season. Yorkshire ple’s second child later this week. get a game up and going is in the said Bresnan would be ineligible Under health protocols for the series, best interest of world cricket.” to play for Warwickshire against Root will begin a seven-day self-isolation them, should the counties period at home once he leaves hospital AUSTRALIA POSTPONE meet in any format this season. with his family, in a measure designed to ZIMBABWE ONE-DAY County cricket is due to return combat the spread of coronavirus. That SERIES IN AUGUST at the start of August, with the means vice-captain Stokes, who has not Australia postponed the one- format still to be decided. led a cricket team since he was a teenager, day international series against is set to be their skipper for the fi rst Test. Zimbabwe in August, the latest ENGLISH COUNTY SEASON “I think he’ll do a great job. He is a tal- sporting fi xtures to fall victim to TO START ON AUGUST 1 isman, he leads from the front anyway,” the coronavirus pandemic. Cit- The English county cricket Silverwood told a conference call yester- ing “concern for the health and season will start on August 1, day. “He’s conscious of the people around safety of players, match offi cials, the England and Wales Cricket him as well so I think he’ll do a great job in and volunteers”, Cricket Austral- Board announced on Monday. Rooty’s absence.” ia announced the three-match The format has still to be decid- Former England paceman Silverwood series would not go ahead. ed, although the ECB said this added: “It will be interesting to see what The games were to have been was "due to be agreed" by the he does because obviously it is his fi rst played on August 9, 12 and 15. 18 fi rst-class counties in early time captaining England. We know he has Under current Australian regu- July. Offi cials had previously got an aggressive nature but equally there lations, the Zimbabwean team announced that the inaugural is a good cricket brain in there as well.” would likely have had to endure edition of the Hundred franchise Stokes, who has served as England’s a 14-day quarantine when enter- competition had been scrapped test vice-captain since his appointment ing the country, and possible because of the coronavirus in July last year, will become England’s further isolation when travelling pandemic. 81st test captain. Durham all-rounder across state boundaries within The fi rst Test between Eng- Stokes has matured since his well-chron- Australia. land and the West Indies behind icled disciplinary problems early in his (right) is set to captain England for the first time after it was confirmed that regular skipper Joe Root would miss the closed doors at Southampton, career and was inspirational as England series opener against the West Indies to be with his wife Carrie, who is expecting the couple’s second child later this week. (AFP) BRESNAN JOINS starting on July 8, is set to be the won the World Cup last year. WARWICKSHIRE fi rst major international cricket Root previously backed the all-round- the end of his career,” he said on Monday. captain. sition of the fast-bowling attack. Former England paceman Tim match since lockdown. er to do a “fantastic” job in his absence, “If I’m being honest, I’m not one of That suggests Buttler will be England’s The top-order rivals are divided be- Bresnan has joined Warwick- The opening round of the while fast bowler Stuart Broad said Stokes those who people would necessarily as- wicketkeeper next week, rather than Jon- tween the two sides, Dom Sibley and Zak shire, it was announced. The fi rst-class County Champion- would have no problems stepping into the sociate with being next England captain. ny Bairstow or Ben Foakes. The warm-up Crawley in one team and Rory Burns and 35-year-old, released by his na- ship was originally scheduled to role of England skipper. But I am looking forward to the opportu- game will involve 27 members of Eng- Joe Denly in the other. and Jack tive Yorkshire earlier this month, begin on April 12. Before the announcement, Stokes said nity of doing it.” land’s 30-man training squad, with un- Leach will be in Team Stokes, with fellow will spend the 2020 campaign The ECB has said the Twen- he had never set a goal to become England England hope to have Root back in capped bowlers Jamie Overton and Amar spinners Dom Bess and Matt Parkinson on loan with Birmingham-based ty20 Blast is their most lucrative captain but he was nevertheless looking time for the second Test at Old Traff ord Virdi missing out along with Root. representing Team Buttler. Warwickshire. domestic format, with interna- forward to the opportunity. starting on July 16. But he will miss Eng- National selector Ed Smith is set to an- “You know the people who are the Bresnan has also agreed a tional fi xtures the biggest cash “If you look at Alastair Cook he was land’s lone warm-up match ahead of the nounce a slimmed down England squad mainstay of our side, the engine room, subsequent two-year deal with draw. Health and safety remains destined to be captain after Andrew series, a three-day intra-squad clash at on Saturday for the behind-closed-doors but this is a great opportunity for some the Bears, subject to clear- the major concern for the ECB, Strauss and Root was destined to be cap- the Ageas Bowl starting today, between series. Among some of the selection is- of the other players to show us what they ance by the England and Wales which has approved the return tain after Cook, you know who the next a side led by Stokes and a team skippered sues still to be clarifi ed are the top four, can do in this game,” said Silverwood. Cricket Board. Bresnan had been to training of fi rst-class counties one will be when one is coming towards by Jos Buttler, who will deputise as vice- the fi rst-choice spinner and the compo- a Yorkshire mainstay since his on or before July 1.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS McLaren happy with F1’s virus 'Ferrari have had to redesign fl awed F1 car' ZANARDI’S CONDITION STILL SERI- Reuters response since Melbourne London OUS AFTER LATEST OPERATION Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi remains Reuters in a serious condition in an induced coma London errari have had a major rethink of after the latest round of neurological sur- their 2020 Formula One car but up- gery, doctors said yesterday. Fdates to make it go faster will not Zanardi, a former Formula One driver who cLaren withdrew be ready until the third race of the had both his legs amputated after a motor from Formula One’s season, team boss Mattia Binotto said yes- racing accident two decades ago, suff ered Mdoomed Australian terday. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc serious head injuries when he lost control of season-opener in will instead start the delayed season in Aus- his handbike during a race on a Tuscan road March when an employee tested tria on Sunday in cars similar to those they nearly two weeks ago and crashed into an positive for Covid-19, but team wrapped up testing with in Spain at the end oncoming truck. boss Andreas Seidl is confi dent of February. “Twenty-four hours after the operation this weekend’s second attempt in “The truth is that the outcome of the tests the patient’s clinical condition is unchanged Austria will be very diff erent. led us to take a signifi cant change of direc- while his neurological development is stable The March 15 race in Mel- tion in terms of development, especially on alunya recognising they lacked comparative and remains serious,” said the Santa Maria bourne was cancelled before a the aerodynamic front,” Binotto said on the pace. Both Mercedes, the team of six times alle Scotte in Siena in a statement. wheel had turned, and Formula Ferrari website. world champion Lewis Hamilton, and Red Doctors added that Zanardi, 53, is still in One has had to wait more than “First, we had to understand why we did Bull have subsequently added performance intensive care, “where he remains in an in- 100 days for another opportunity McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in action during testing. (Reuters) not see the results we had expected on track upgrades. duced coma with an uncertain prognosis”. to go racing after countries went and how much to recalibrate the whole The season was supposed to start in Aus- The hospital also said that they had agreed into lockdown. Sunday’s opener demic, McLaren withdrew on the announced on Monday a 150mn programme as a result. It would have been tralia on March 15 but was delayed by the with Zanardi’s family that they would no at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring will Thursday after one positive re- pound ($184.26mn) fi nancing counterproductive to continue in the direc- pandemic. The revised schedule sees two longer do medical updates unless there were be the latest ever start to a For- sult. The race was then called off facility for the McLaren Group, tion we had planned, knowing that we would races at Austria’s Red Bull Ring before mov- signifi cant changes to his condition. Zanardi mula One season, and the fi rst to before the start of Friday prac- which includes the team and su- not have reached our goals. Therefore we ing to Hungary and then Britain. suff ered head injuries with multiple facial get going in Austria. tice. Team members will now be percar manufacturer. decided to come up with a new programme “Our aim is to introduce the updates at factures after the crash on June 19. It will take place in a changed tested every fi ve days and will Bahrain’s sovereign wealth that looked at the whole car, knowing that the third race on 19 July at the Hungaror- An investigation has begun into the cir- landscape, one without specta- also have to maintain self dis- fund Mumtalakat Holding Co is not all of it would be ready for the fi rst race.” ing,” said Binotto. He said that Ferrari had cumstances surrounding the accident on tors or sponsors present while tancing and wear face masks in McLaren’s majority shareholder. Champions Mercedes and also Red Bull used the weeks since the Maranello factory the ‘Obiettivo Tricolore’ stage relay race teams operate in ‘bubbles’ with the paddock. “It was a tough period for the looked faster in testing, with Ferrari com- reopened to analyse the car’s behaviour with which sees participants journey across Italy strict health and safety condi- Seidl said all of his team’s team, steering a team through ing away from Barcelona’s Circuit de Cat- simulation work and input from the drivers. on handbikes, wheelchairs or cycles. tions and media kept at a dis- tests had reported negative so these fi nancial diffi culties we tance. “I have to say I’m very far.The teams, who will fl y in on were in,” Seidl said. happy with the plan that has charter planes and remain iso- “The positive news we had been developed,” said Seidl. lated in their hotels, will not mix yesterday about the funding LPGA cancels Canadian Women’s Open over virus border issues “What is diff erent now to Aus- with locals or rival outfi ts, with which is in place now, is I think tralia is we have a clear concept key groups kept isolated within an extra boost, an extra motiva- Miami: US-Canada border travel restric- Mandatory quarantines and limits on two in January in the United States and two of isolation of the teams between teams to limit any spread. “I tion for all of us who are fully fo- tions due to the coronavirus pandemic group gatherings in the province of British in Australia in February. each other,” added the German. think it is a good mix of protect- cused again on what we like to do have forced the LPGA to cancel the Columbia also contributed to the decision LPGA play is scheduled to resume July “The approach is clear: If some- ing our people and at the same most and what we do best.” Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, the as authorities have taken measures to limit 31-August 2 with a 54-hole event at Inver- one is positive he needs to be time allowing to put up a good McLaren were the fi rst team to women’s golf tour announced yesterday. the spread of the deadly virus that has shut ness in Toledo, Ohio, without spectators isolated from the team and obvi- show,” Seidl said. furlough staff , with drivers Lan- The tournament, scheduled for September down the LPGA season since February. ahead of the August 6-9 Marathon Classic ously can’t continue. but for eve- do Norris and Carlos Sainz also 3-6 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club World number one Ko Jin-young of South with spectators at nearby Sylvania, Ohio. ryone else who is not aff ected or MCLAREN’S F1 FUTURE WAS taking pay cuts, and have had in Vancouver, was postponed to August Korea was to have defended her Canadian The Ladies Scottish Open and Women’s is negative, they can simply keep NEVER A DOUBT, SAYS SEIDL to implement redundancies — a 26-29, 2021, at the same venue. “We share crown in Vancouver after winning last year British Open remain scheduled for August. going.” McLaren’s Formula One fu- move that also refl ects Formula in the disappointment of our fans, players, in suburban Toronto. The LPGA is set to return to US soil for All the teams have backup staff ture was never in doubt despite One’s 2021 budget cap. volunteers and partners,” said Golf Canada The event becomes the 13th of the the Northwest Arkansas Championship on on standby, tested and ready to a cash crisis brought on by the The fi nancial issues had not chief executive Laurence Applebaum. “The season to be wiped out by COVID-19 and August 28-30, now the only tuneup for a step in if needed. In Melbourne, pandemic and now resolved by aff ected this season, he added, health of everyone who comes together for related issues. The 2020 LPGA campaign major event, the ANA Inspiration at Rancho amid general concern about rac- a fresh injection of funds, Seidl. with regular performance up- the event is our top priority.” was halted after only four tournaments, Mirage, California, on September 10-13. ing in the face of a growing pan- The National Bank of Bahrain grades planned. Wednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Hathab Qatar Equestrian season 3 to resume on Aug 7 ith Covid-19 restrictions News that the 2019/2020 Hathab when planning for the resumption of being lifted in phases and Equestrian Tour will run its course, season 3. Unlike other sports, horse rid- Wthe Qatar Olympic Com- and not end prematurely, will be wel- ing is generally a contactless sport. The mittee’s recent announce- comed by the local equestrian commu- nearest person a rider gets into contact ment on the resumption of sporting nity, given the series’ vision to inspire with is the horse’s groom. The safety of activities after July 20, the Longines Qatar’s next generation of equestrian our riders and everyone involved in the Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour Or- champions and increase awareness of Longines Hathab – Qatar Equestrian ganising Committee has confi rmed horsemanship. Longines, ExxonMobil, Tour is paramount, and we will put all that season three action is ready to and Salam International are the main necessary precautions in place to en- start again. The third season of the an- partners of the series, which is open to sure their health and wellbeing.” nual series, which started in October Qataris and residents of Qatar. Hathab, meaning “canter” in Arabic, 2019 and was originally scheduled to Ali al-Rumaihi, Event Director, is an initiative of His Excellency Sheikh conclude in April this year. It had been Longines Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President suspended, after the completion of the Tour, said: “The Organising Committee of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The ninth Tour, in line with national health is very happy to confi rm that the series competition series is organised and guidelines aimed at preventing the will resume. We have put in a lot of ef- hosted jointly by Qatar Equestrian Fed- spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. fort in trying to make the third season eration (QEF) and Al Shaqab, member Longines Hathab Tour 10th leg will of the Tour the best so far. Everyone was of Qatar Foundation. now take place on August 7 and 8, Tour very happy about the way the season It is aimed at improving the stand- 11 on August 14 and 15, and the Tour 12 was progressing, including riders and ard of horse riding among Qatari youth, fi nale over three days on August 27, 28, event partners, and then the postpone- while encouraging the involvement of and 29. All Tours will be held at the Qa- ment came just as we were entering the private stables and individual horse tar Equestrian Federation, and will fea- fi nal exciting stages of the season. owners to spread awareness of horse- ture only the showjumping (Individual “We really appreciate the support of manship as part of Qatar’s history and and Teams) discipline. Dressage and our Tour partners, Longines, Exxon- tradition. The vision for Hathab is to be Future Riders competition, which were Mobil, and Salam International, dur- “a national series of equestrian com- a part of the earlier legs, will not be tak- ing this time. Of course, we were and petitions to inspire Qatar’s next gen- ing place. are aware that there are greater things eration of international champions”. For the health and safety of eques- to consider than sport. Covid-19 has Hathab’s signifi cance is demonstrated trian fans, the respective tours will be changed the way we live, and we have by the results of the competition being held without spectators in the arena. to do everything we can to ensure the used as a guide in the selection of rid- However, fans of the series can follow safety and health of everyone involved. ers to represent Qatar in international Longines Hathab Tour 10th leg will take place on August 7 and 8, Tour 11 on August 14 and 15, and the Tour 12 finale over the thrilling action live on Al Kass TV. “We have taken this into account competitions. three days on August 27, 28, and 29.

SPOTLIGHT ESPORTS QMMF clinches F1 deploys war chest Qatar Online Racing of virus strategies Championship for Austria races Red Bull Ring has been put into a fortress-like lockdown and will host first race on July 5

AFP Paris A footbridge for fans is seen next to the Formula One race track in Spielberg, Austria. (Reuters) he Formula One season roars into action at the Austrian Grand Prix Tin Spielberg this weekend with “military-like”, coronavirus- busting sanitary regulations. Every single person who sets foot in- side the Red Bull Ring, where the fi rst two races of the rescheduled season take place, must adhere to strict health and safety protocols developed jointly by the organisers and teams, who have em- Saeed al-Sulaiti topped the overall riders’ standings with 232 points. ployed their genius for logistics to the task at hand. By Sports Reporter fi nished with 172 points for over- “The meticulous approach of the teams Doha all runner-up place. to both logistics and engineering and Foggia started on pole at Losail procedures and protocols is what we’ve Circuit and despite being under transferred into our approach to dealing atar Motor and Mo- constant pressure by al-Sulaiti with this challenge,” F1 chief Ross Brawn torcycle Federation managed to take the chequered said. The Red Bull Ring, nestling in the Q(QMMF) team com- fl ag. Leopard’s Lorenza Dalla picturesque Styrian mountains, has been pleted a dominat- Porta was fourth, while QMMF’s put into a fortress-like lockdown and will ing win over Leopard Racing to Hamad al-Sahouti fi nished in play host to a fi rst race on July 5 and a sec- clinch the Qatar Online Racing fi fth place. Marcos Ramirez was ond a week later. Championship (QORC). After a sixth, while Jassim al-Thani was Brawn predicted teams would be quick six-round face-off , QMMF tal- seventh to adapt to all new measures. “It suits lied 617 points to Leopard Rac- our culture, our philosophy of working ing’s 573. The competition was RACE 6 RESULTS through every scenario, plan A, plan B, held on the MotoGP 20 PS4. 1. Dennis Foggia; 2. Saeed plan C,” said Brawn, who added there was race,” Brawn said. “That’s the nature of ing access to all their contacts. Haas team raced for Williams in 2018 and fi lled the Victory was never in doubt al-Sulaiti; 3. Saoud al-Thani; 4. a two-metre social-distancing rule and F1. It’s very military like in its approach.” principal Guenther Steiner said last week Renault reserve role in 2017 and 2019. Re- for QMMF, as the Qatari team Lorenza Dalla Porta; 5. Hamad compulsory visors or masks. Ferrari’s sporting director Laurent he was more than happy with the ongo- nault’s race drivers are Australian Daniel went into the fi nal round with a Al Sahouti; 6. Marcos Ramirez; 7. Each team has been reduced to a maxi- Mekies says the strategies will make the ing safety measures. “We could not have Ricciardo and Frenchman Esteban Ocon. 45-point lead. Jassim al-Thani mum of 80 staff , they will be asked to re- sport more resilient to coronavirus, espe- done more really, what has been put in “I understand the importance for a In the fi nal round, held at the frain from mixing with other groups and cially the sub-division of teams to carry place is the best possible,” the Italian team to have a driver ready to fi ll in quick- Qatar’s simulated Losail Inter- OVERALL STANDINGS: even split into subgroups so as to limit out activities, which he argued would leader of the American team said. ly should the opportunity arise, especial- national Circuit, Dennis Foggia 1. QMMF Racing 617 points; 2. any possible cross contagion. The teams mean having a limited number of people ly given the current situation the world clinched a consolatory victory Leopard Racing 573. RENAULT RETAIN SIROTKIN will travel in motor-homes and once on in isolation were there an outbreak. is in,” Sirotkin said in a statement. “I’ve for Leopard Racing. RIDER STANDINGS site will use the facilities there to cook. “If necessary we will have replace- AS RESERVE DRIVER been keeping sharp and focused, and I QMMF’s top performer Saeed Anyone at the track must submit to coro- ments on standby at the factory,” Mekies Russian Sergey Sirotkin will be on standby would be well-prepared to race a Formula al-Sulaiti came second in the 1. Saeed al-Sulaiti 232; 2. Soud navirus testing and regular temperature said. World champion Lewis Hamilton’s in Austria this weekend after Renault an- One car again.” race to fi nish on top of the overall al-Thani 172; 3. Marcos Ramirez checks and no spectators will be allowed Mercedes team say they have entirely re- nounced yesterday they had retained him Sirotkin doubled up as McLaren re- riders’ standings with 232 points. 154; 4. Dennis Foggia 102; 5. Xavi in the arena. organised their garage, adding tents and as their Formula One reserve driver. The serve last season but that team, who are Al-Sulaiti was in a class of his Artigas 96; 6. Jassim al-Thani Organisers also say they will be ready canopies so as to avoid slowing down the role has come into the spotlight more as switching to Mercedes power in 2021, will own as he won four races and fi n- 88; 7. Jaume Masia 87; 8. Danny to react and improve or adapt to devel- work on their cars. the sport fi nally starts its season amid the share back-up drivers Stoff el Vandoorne ished runner-up in another two. 73; 9. Abdulla al-Qubaisi 67; oping situations in the same way they do There will also be a tracing app which pandemic, with the possibility of drivers and Esteban Gutierrez with Mercedes and Soud al-Thani was third in the 10. Lorenzo Dalla 61; 11. Hamad with races. “We will live and learn at each all team members must download, grant- being ruled out by the virus. Sirotkin, 24, Racing Point. 15-lap fi nal race on Monday as he al-Sahouti 58.

Al-Mohannadi wins 7km race FOOTBALL Doha: Qatari Saleh al-Mohan- that the 7 km race achieved nadi won the title of the 7 km success that exceeded expec- QFA’s Mansoor al-Ansari participates in conference running race, which was organ- tations through the great turn- ised by the Qatar Handball As- out and interaction that it had sociation (QHA) to encourage received from a large segment of General Secretaries of WAFF’s members social groups to exercise and of the participants from both communicate remotely due to males and females, noting that QNA WAFF’s members and regional fed- on Asian competitions and football spread the coronavirus. this success encourages the Doha erations have the opportunity to ben- management in general. Through- Al-Mohannadi completed QHA to launch other initiatives efi t from WAFF’s resources, expertise out the conference, general secre- the race in a time of 27.11 min- in the coming period. and programs and to further enhance taries will have the opportunity to utes, while Ali al-Naimi came Al-Mohannadi expressed eneral Secretary of Qatar positive participation. learn about the latest developments in second place with a time of his happiness at winning the Football Association (QFA) The conference is an extension of in football management, especially 29.50 minutes, and Mahmoud race, and said that the QHA’s GMansoor al-Ansari is par- the annual programme specifi cally regarding fi ghting match-fi xing in Shadi came in the third in 33.18 initiative to hold the race under ticipating in the conference designed for general secretaries, and light of the spread of the Coronavi- minutes. The race saw wom- the current circumstances of General Secretaries of the West for the fi rst time this year it will in- rus, which will be presented by Spor- en’s participation, as Moda deserves praise and appre- Asian Football Federation’s (WAFF) clude the senior leadership of the tradar, AFC’s strategic partner. Daniel was crowned first, while ciation, and is a model for members, which will end today, with Asian regional federations as part of The conference began on June 4 Shobi Abraham came second, sports federations in order to representation from all fi ve Asian re- eff orts to foster a spirit of partnership with the participation of general sec- and Aya Hassan came third. undertake similar initiatives to gions, according to the specifi c dates within the Asian football family. retaries from the central and south- Mohammad Jaber al-Mulla, urge all segments of society to of each region. The meeting will also touch on the ern regions of Asia in a series of four Secretary General of QHA, said practice sports. (QNA) The conference, held via video latest developments in the Corona- divisions of the fi ve geographical re- technology, aims to ensure that all virus pandemic, as well as its impact gions of the Asian continent.