MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 07 Honestly, I’m not expecting to get back to my very best. I TODAY think it would be probably a Andy Murray says WALES VS GEORGIA (POOL D) 13:15 Qatar time bit naive and silly to think that ‘naive’ to think he will TOMORROW return to top would be the case. . RUSSIA VS SAMOA (POOL A) 13:15 Qatar time Vettel ends win drought in Singapore

AFP rivals’ degraded tyres late in the Singapore Grand Prix SINGAPORE race. But three safety car periods Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel ended -- when both George Russell Singapore Formula One Grand Prix his yearlong drought without a and Sergio Perez stopped on the results yesterday: win at the Singapore Grand Prix It was a very track, and when Daniil Kvyat 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1 hr 58min yesterday, mastering a hazy collided with Kimi Raikkonen 33.667sec, late call on the circuit to claim a record fifth -- allowed the front three 2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) at 2.641sec, triumph in the city-state. pit stop and plenty of time to cool their 3. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) The German was chased rubber. I just gave it at 3.821, home by teammate Charles everything on Ferrari will be delighted to Leclerc, who started on pole but have recorded a one-two finish 4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes-AMG) lost the lead to the four-time the out lap. I at a circuit they were not at 4.608, world champion after making his was surprised expected to muster a podium 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes-AMG) pit stop, and Red Bull’s Max Ver- to come out finish. at 6.119, stappen, who finished third. But Leclerc was unhappy 6. Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda) “It was a very late call on the ahead and it with the pit strategy that dashed pit stop and I just gave it every- was difficult to his hopes of a hat-trick after wins at 11.663, thing on the out lap. I was sur- manage the tyres in Belgium and Italy. 7. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) prised to come out ahead and it but we controlled “I won’t do anything stupid, at 14.769, was difficult to manage the tyres I want us to finish one-two,” it to the end: 8. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso-Honda) but we controlled it to the end,” Leclerc told Ferrari over the at 15.547, Vettel Vettel told reporters. radio when he was behind the 9. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) at 16.718, Championship leader Lewis second safety car. 10. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo Hamilton finished fourth but “I just don’t think it’s fair.” extended his advantage over Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing-Ferrari) at 17.855, Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel kisses the trophy on the podium after winning the Formula fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri teammate Alex Albon, Lando 11. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) at 35.436, One Singapore Grand Prix night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, yesterday. Bottas to 65 points, with six races Norris of McLaren, Pierre Gasly 12. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) remaining, after the Finn finished of Toro Rosso, Renault’s Nico at 35.974, in fifth. the field, the frontrunners were the more durable hard tyres on when it was his turn to come in. Hulkenberg and Alfa Romeo’s 13. Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes) The race got off to a clean maintaining a one-second gap lap 20, with Leclerc following But Vettel, Leclerc and Ver- Antonio Giovinazzi rounded out at 36.419, start with the top six retaining between each other as Leclerc suit on the next lap. stappen were lapping much the top ten. their grid positions despite Vettel set a slow pace to make his soft Leclerc, however, was dis- quicker than Hamilton and when Smog from forest fires in 14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) at 37.660, putting immense pressure on tyres last as long as possible. mayed to leave the pits behind the Briton finally stopped seven neighbouring Indonesia has 15. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Honda) second-placed Hamilton in the Ferrari and Red Bull were the Vettel. laps after his rivals, he emerged shrouded Singapore over the at 38.178, opening lap. first of the big teams to bring Hamilton stayed out on track in a distant fourth place. past week, and on Sunday air 16. Robert Kubica (POL/Williams) at 47.024, While a few drivers were their cars in for pit stops as Vettel in the lead to set about forging a Hamilton’s only hope of quality dipped to unhealthy 17. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) at 1:26.522 shifting position further down and Verstappen were fitted with big enough gap to retain the lead victory was to capitalise on his levels ahead of the race.

Another Losail Circuit Sports Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides during the Club season all set for kick off MotoGP race of the Moto Grand THE PENINSULA also enjoy the karting-track, that opens purchased at www.lcsc.qa and during Prix of Aragon again from 5pm to 10pm. the event at the ticket booths at the at the Motorland Like the previous seasons, another LCSC. Circuit in Alcaniz, Another exciting season of activities at thrilling round of World Superbike Racing championships Qatar yesterday. Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) is Championship (WorldSBK) will take Superstock 600 and Qatar Touring Car about to start. place under the floodlights of the Losail Championship will be also organised In the next coming months, the International Circuit. For the sixth year this season. circuit will host again racing champi- in a row, the LCSC will host the finale After a successful first quarter of onships, track days, training days to of the WorldSBK from October 24 to the Qatar Motorsports Academy with go along with karting and the Qatar 26 with evening races scheduled on more than sixty children registered for Marquez one race Motorsports Academy. Friday and Saturday. the training program, the new season Training days will remain to be Grandstand tickets start from as for the QMA will resume in October. held on Tuesday for ladies only and little as QR20, and all ticket holders Khalid Al Remaihi, LCSC Vice-Pres- Wednesdays open for the general will have free access into the Paddock, ident and General Manager, is looking away from title public. Pit Walk on Friday and Saturday and forward to the start of a new season. The track is open both days from will be able to watch the Podium Cer- “We are very excited to start a new AFP third and a spot on the podium. 5pm to 8.30pm and participants can emony of the winners at the Paddock. season and we welcome everybody to ALCAÑIZ, SPAIN “We’re really happy about that, we bring their own bicycle, rent one at the Fans can enter into a raffle and stand our racing and community events. Also, needed that result, especially when you track or can also run, walk and even a chance to win access to the starting we are very happy with the great Marc Marquez moved to within one race start 10th,” Dovizioso said. go rollerblading. Grid for the WorldSBK races. success of the opening of the Qatar of sealing his sixth MotoGP title yesterday Marquez had been quickest in both If you are a fan of adrenaline and For families and kids, there will be Motorsports Academy for children and after a another dominant display saw him practice and qualifying and the dry track racing, the first track day for cars will a fan area in the Paddock with mer- we will continue to develop more cruise to victory in Aragon. only enhanced his credentials as the out- be on September 26 and the 27th for chandise tents, kids’ activities, food training programs for each child as The 26-year-old’s eighth triumph of standing favourite coming into the race. bikes. On the same weekend you can court and much more. Tickets can be well as for adults and ladies’ the season is his fourth in a row at the Rins had to apologise afterwards for Aragon Motorland, situated 160km from his early dash inside that forced Franco his home town of Cervera, and means he Morbidelli to crash out at the 12th turn, A file picture of one of the now sits 98 points clear in the World with Rins also affected and dropping races hosted by the Losail Championship standings with five races down to 19th as a result. Circuit Sports Club (LCSC). left. Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso, who Marquez was more than a second INSET: Riders competing crossed the line in second after starting clear after the opening lap but Vinales during an event. the race 10th on the grid, remains Mar- and Fabio Quartararo were both battling quez’s closest challenger in the standings for a spot in the top three, with Miller -- although the Honda rider can now seal establishing himself behind the leader in the title in Thailand next month. second. “I was convinced about my strategy Valentino Rossi, Dovizioso, Cal and I felt good. I pushed in the beginning, Crutchlow and Andrea Iannone were all opened a gap of four to five seconds and chasing Aleix Espargaro in fifth and didn’t push more,” Marquez said Vinales made his move on the 16th turn afterwards. to take third, with Miller now firmly in “I’m happy with this victory. It looks his sights. Rins served a long-lap penalty, easy, but in the end we’re working very costing him a few seconds but no posi- hard. We crashed on Friday, so we are tions, as the pack behind Marquez always pushing. We know that Dovizioso bunched, all in touch with the podium never gives up.” places. Having seen off Quartararo, Marquez’s victory in Spain also ends Vinales now surged round the outside of any lingering hopes Danilo Petrucci, Alex Miller while Marquez moved almost five Rins, Maverick Vinales and Valentino seconds clear, his success all-but secured Rossi still had of lifting the trophy. with six laps to go. One of Dovizioso and Petrucci, both Vinales came under late pressure of Ducati, needed to win to turn the tide from Dovizioso and was overtaken by but the team’s last victory in Aragon came the Italian, who opened up down the back in 2010, while Marquez has made this straight. By then, Marquez’s victory was 5.077km-circuit something of a home complete. venue in recent years. In the Moto2 Jorge Navarro closed He finished the race in the gap on leader Alex Marquez, the 41min.57.221sec, a considerable 4.836sec younger brother of the 500cc class’ top ahead of Dovizioso and 5.430sec in front dog, after finishing less than a second of Australian Jack Miller, who snatched behind yesterday’s winner Brad Binder. 08 SPORT MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2019

World Cup is not a 100m Low-key England beat Tonga sprint: Jones

AFP England, whose humiliating first- REUTERS SAPPORO, JAPAN round exit on home soil at the 2015 World SAPPORO, JAPAN Cup led to Jones’s appointment, took an Manu Tuilagi scored two tries as England 11th-minute lead when inside centre There was no record score, no launched their bid for a second Rugby Farrell landed a penalty. long list of try scorers and World Cup title with a comfortable but Tonga scrum-half Sonatane Takulua certainly no reason to get error-strewn 35-3 bonus-point win over equalised three minutes later after a carried away, but England’s Tonga yesterday. thumping hit by flanker Zane Kapeli on victory over Tonga in their The Samoa-born centre crossed twice England number eight Billy Vunipola, World Cup opener yesterday under the roof in a first whose father and uncle both played in ticked a lot of boxes for coach half that ended with England well ahead the Tonga side thrashed 101-10 by Eddie Jones. at 18-3. England at the 1999 World Cup. With the Tongans still And second-half scores from hooker England thought they had scored the smarting from a 92-7 defeat to Jamie George and replacement Luke opening try when flanker Sam Underhill New Zealand just before the Cowan-Dickie saw England secure a charged over after fullback Elliot Daly ran tournament and England keen bonus point for scoring four tries, a result a loose kick back. to banish memories of their that could be crucial in a tight Pool C. But with the grounding unclear to the woeful campaign on home soil In addition England, playing within television match official, the score was four years ago, some pundits themselves, also appeared to avoid any disallowed. From the resulting five-metre were suggesting Jones’s side injuries to key players. scrum, however, Tuilagi bundled over for would pile on the points against “We had to toil hard today and I was a 24th-minute try which the TMO did the Pacific islanders. particularly pleased at the end of the game award. Farrell missed the conversion but But while they came away when we were under the pump a bit, we England led 8-3. with a 35-3 victory it was not defended really well,” said England coach England lock Maro Itoje then gave the clinical, fluent display that Eddie Jones. away a penalty to the obvious fury of had been expected. England captain Owen Farrell, who Jones, in charge of his native Australia A slew of handling errors kicked 15 points, added: “To come away when England beat the Wallabies in the and rash of penalties prevented with a bonus-point win is always a good 2003 World Cup final in Sydney. But England from building up a start to a World Cup.“There are still some Takalua missed, an error made worse for head of steam and at one point mistakes that we can look at and that’s Tonga when Tuilagi scored his second try. provoked an angry reaction the exciting thing. We’ve still got a lot Daly released before the from Jones in the coach’s booth. Tonga’s lock Sam Lousi more in us.” wing’s inside pass to Tuilagi allowed the However, after the bonus- jumps for the ball in a Tonga, who’ve lost more than 20 midfielder to charge in the 31st minute. point victory was entered in the line out during the Japan players to other World Cup nations, were record books, Jones seemed 2019 vastly improved from the side that suf- much more at ease with the Pool C match against fered a 92-7 warm-up thrashing by world performance. England at the Sapporo champions New Zealand in Hamilton this “We came here to get five Dome in Sapporo, month. points, we got five points. We To come away with a bonus-point yesterday. “We didn’t play well against the All got no injuries. We know we Blacks and we caught them on a bloody win is always a good start to a can play better,” the Australian good day,” said Tonga coach Toutai Kefu. World Cup. There are still some told a media conference. “England are a good team, they mistakes that we can look at and “I’ve been to a few World squeezed us for territory in the first half that’s the exciting thing. We’ve Cups and it’s not a 100-metre and we couldn’t get into their 30 (metre still got a lot more in us: Farrell sprint. You don’t have to come area) to throw any punches,” added Kefu. out of the blocks and be abso- lutely fantastic now. You have to be steady and... have a mindset of improvement - and that’s what we have.” With Japan struggling to put Russia away in the World Cup Parisse makes history as curtain raiser, and both Fiji and Namibia giving a good account of themselves against Australia Italy dispatch Namibia and Italy, Jones said it was clear that the big guns were not having it all their own way AFP Parisse’s record the favourites a 21-7 lead at the against the lower-tier teams. HIGASHIOSAKA, JAPAN break. “If you look at all the games, Italian captain With the match being played the (lower) tier team countries Italian captain Sergio Parisse became only the third man on the fringes of a typhoon, rain are playing above themselves. became only the third man to to play in five Rugby World hammered down in the early The first 20 minutes they are play in five Rugby World Cups Cups as the Six Nations team part of the second half and Italy playing for their lives,” he as the Six Nations team recovered from a slow start extended their advantage almost added. recovered from a slow start to to beat minnows Namibia. immediately through an Edoardo England scored two first- beat minnows Namibia 47-22 Padovani try after a clever kick half tries through Manu Tuilagi yesterday. behind Namibian lines. at the Sapporo Dome but had In blustery wind and tor- produce a flowing move down Italy never looked in danger to wait until late in the second rential rain at times, the Six the right flank finished off acro- of losing the match, scoring three half to secure their fourth try Nations outfit ultimately had too batically by scrum-half Damian further tries via , and the bonus point. much firepower, racking up a Stevens. and Matteo Jones said he had preached seven-try, bonus-point win Italy hit back within minutes, Minozzi, but the spirited patience to his players in the against a spirited Namibia, the a Parisse-inspired push-over in Namibians refused to lie down build-up to the tournament and World Cup’s lowest-ranked team the scrum resulting in a penalty and a touch-down from winger told them that if they stuck with at 23. try as Namibia collapsed on their JC Greyling was greeted with the gameplan, even when the Namibia’s defence coach had line. roars from the capacity crowd. tide seemed to be turning promised to treat fans to an The Italians took the lead in A mazy Chad Plato try under against them, they would even- impromptu haka if his minnows the 26th minute as they unpicked the posts gave the Namibians a tually get their reward. pulled off a shock and it was the the Namibian defence for fly- final consolation score just “There was no sign of panic, unfancied Welwitschias who half to touch before time. they just kept playing good started the brightest in the gusty down under the posts. Often Six Nations whipping rugby and the try comes,” he Hanazono Stadium. The champagne moment of boys, Italy are targeting their added. The underdogs were on the the match came on the stroke of October 4 clash against South Italy’s Sergio Parisse (left) is tackled by Namibia’s hooker Torsten “Might have been easier if scoresheet with only five half-time as ’s Africa as a possible route to van Jaarsveld during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match it came a little bit earlier but it minutes on the clock, seizing on no-look pass let in reaching the knock-out stages at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, yesterday. came, and that’s a sign of a good an overthrown line-out to for a try, well converted to give for the first time . team.” Powerful Ireland lay down World Cup marker AFP Scotland’s resistance, with it became more of an arm TOKYO pushover tries in the first half wrestle but we know how good from lock James Ryan, prop a team they are and we’re A dominant display by Ireland’s I think we started Tadhg Furlong and hooker Rory delighted with the win,” said forwards earned them an Best. skipper Best. impressive bonus-point Rugby really well. We were Scotland had lost six of the “That was a good start for us World Cup win over Celtic rivals positive. We wanted previous seven games against but we know... how much we Scotland yesterday. to attack. Obviously the Irish but scented an upset in need to improve going for- The emphatic 27-3 Pool A Yokohama as coach Gregor wards,” added Best. win underscored Ireland’s status with the conditions Townsend named the most Yesterday’s clash of the Celts as one of the pre-tournament in the second half, experienced Test team in in Yokohama followed an favourites and sent out a it became more of Scottish rugby history with an unconvincing 47-22 win by message to southern hemisphere an arm wrestle but astounding 630 caps in the fellow Six Nations outfit Italy challengers New Zealand and starting XV. But heavy rain in against Namibia, the lowest Australia, who both won on we know how good Yokohama hampered Scotland’s ranked side in the competition. Saturday. a team they are and handling as their backs studded That match saw Italy’s talis- World Player of the Year we’re delighted with with British and Irish Lions failed manic captain Sergio Parisse Scotland’s full back Stuart Hogg (left) fights for the ball with Johnny Sexton answered his the win: Best to fire. make history as only the third Ireland’s back row Jack Conan during the Rugby World Cup Pool critics after a worrying dip in “I think we started really man to play in five World Cups A match against Ireland at the International Stadium Yokohama form as Ireland shrugged off well. We were positive. We but it was an error-strewn game in Yokohama, yesterday. injuries to key players in their in a tight group. But it was the wanted to attack. Obviously with to forget in at times torrential back line to seize the initiative tight five forwards who broke the conditions in the second half, rain and fierce winds. MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 09

Federer battles past Isner Naomi holds her victory plate. to save Europe in Geneva

AFP GENEVA Team Europe’s player Roger Roger Federer saved Europe Federer celebrates after winning from defeat in the Laver Cup his match during the 2019 Laver after beating John Isner in a tight Cup in Geneva, yesterday. match 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) that takes the tournament down to the final singles match. Federer had to win a tense tie-break over world number 20 Isner to take the three points, smashing an ace on the final I’m thrilled that I point to raise the roof in Geneva was able to give after the American had somehow something back to shot wide with the court at his the team: Roger mercy. Osaka returns to Team World lead 11-10 Federer ahead of German Alexander Zverev’s clash Milos Raonic, a winning ways with straight shootout for the tour- nament after Taylor Fritz had Pan Pacific crown earlier put Team World to within one win of capturing their first REUTERS “I think what I learned from Laver Cup with a 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), OSAKA this tournament is just to focus 10-5 win over Dominic Thiem. every point, and just to have “I’m thrilled that I was able Naomi Osaka lifted her first really positive energy,” Osaka to give something back to the tournament has been played the lead overall. “I’ve had an schedule was further compli- trophy since winning the Aus- added. team,” said Federer. since being added to the ATP amazing time playing at the cated when Kyrgios also tralian Open in January, blasting Osaka relied on her pow- “Obviously to see Rafa on the Tour. Laver Cup and I’m so disap- withdrew, captain John McEnroe past Russia’s Anastasia Pavly- erful serve and groundstrokes sidelines after having to pull out Europe won the 2018 edition pointed I’m not able to play again saying it was a shoulder injury. uchenkova 6-2, 6-3 in the Pan to break world number 41 Pav- with an injury, it’s great cama- 13-8 in Chicago. today, but I have some inflam- “Nick’s shoulder has been Pacific Open final yesterday. lyuchenkova early in the contest raderie I feel.” Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal mation in my hand and I need to bugging him. He was talking Her victory marked a return and cruise through the opening Fritz, himself a replacement pulled out of his Laver Cup rest,” Nadalal said in a statement. about it last nightnight,”,” McEnroe saidsaid.. to the ruthless form that helped set. for injured Nick Kyrgios, fol- matches yesterday due to “The atmospheretmosphere “I don’tdon’t knowknow whatwhat to tell world number four Osaka claim Chasing her first title in the lowed up on Isner and Jack inflammation in his hand, has been amazingamazing you other than we wanted him last year’s US Open crown tournament having made the Sock’s 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 defeat of denying fans the opportunity to in Geneva and of toto come out 100% and he before her Melbourne success, final twice before -- in 2016 and Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas see him partner Federer in the course I’mm ggoingoing didn’tdidn’t feelfeel like he could.could. SoSo with the 21-year-old not 2018 when it was held in Tokyo with a surprise tie-break doubles on the final day of the to be ththereere that means we’ve got to put dropping a set all week in -- Osaka started the second set triumph over world number five tournament. courtside totodayday somebodysomebody else in.”in.” Osaka, Japan. in similarly dominant fashion Thiem. Team Europe’s Nadal was for all my team-team- American Taylor “I just wanted to win this but Pavlyuchenkova saved “That was such a big match also scheduled to take on Team mates and do eveve-e- FritzFritz waswas KyKyrgios’srgios’s really bad,” Osaka, who has three break points to hold for for Team World to win, we really World’s Kyrgios in his singles rything I can to replacement.replreprre acement. endured several lows this 2-4. needed that,” said Fritz. clash and partner Swiss Federer support themem and season and sacked two coaches However, there was no “This has to be one of the against American duo John Isner help TTeameam in the space of seven months, denying Osaka as she closed out biggest wins of my career. It and Jack Sock. Europe winin tthehe Rafael Nadal told a news conference. the match on her third match- means so much more when Federer instead played with Laver Cup.”” She became the first Jap- point and stayed on course to you’re playing for other people Greek Tsitsipas and they were Austrianan Thiem anese player to win the title qualify for the season-ending as well.” beaten by the Americans 5-7, stood in too replace since Kimiko Date in 1995. WTA Finals in Shenzhen. This year is the first time the 6-4, 10-8 to give the World team Nadal but tthehe day day’s’s Venus crashes out of Open RESULTS Women’s Singles Round of 64 Dayana Yastremska bt Ajla Tomljanovic AFP eventually losing to Collins, who It was the start of a surprising during the Miami Open last year. 7-6 (5), 6-2. WUHAN recorded just the second match five-game run from Williams, who “This is my first tournament Danielle Collins bt Venus Williams 7-5, win of her career on Chinese soil. saved two match points along the here in Asia, I was just happy to 7-6 (5). Venus Williams’ (pictured) first The 35th-ranked Collins way as she drew level at 5-5. come out with a win, said Collins, Aryna Sabalenka bt Aliaksandra Sas- visit to Asia since 2017 was cut rallied back from 3-5 down in the In the decider, Williams got who next takes on defending novich 6-1, 6-2. short as she crashed out of the opening set, winning a whopping the first mini-break but it was champion and ninth seed Aryna Bernarda Pera bt Jennifer Brady 6-4, Wuhan Open first round yesterday nine games in a row to go up 7-5, Collins who eventually created a Sabalenka, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over 3-6, 6-4. 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) to fellow American 5-0. 6-4 gap, converting with an ace Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Caroline Garcia bt Daria Kasatkina, Rus- Danielle Collins. Williams, a wildcard at Wuhan on her fourth match point to move Former US Open champion sia, 6-2, 6-2. The 39-year-old Williams, a this year, finally stopped the into the second round. Sloane Stephens battled past Elena Rybakina bt Zhu Lin 7-5, 2-6, 6-0.

2015 Wuhan champion now 59th bleeding, holding the serve to It was Collins’ second triumph home favourite Zhang Shuai 7-5, Sloane Stephens bt Zhang Shuai 7-5, in the world rankings, squandered interrupt her opponent’s over Williams, who had also 6-4 to take just her second win at 6-4. a lead in the first set before momentum. stumbled against the 25-year-old Wuhan from four starts. South Africa crush Challenge League: Qatar optimistic India by 9 wickets to despite defeat against Canada in KL level Twenty20 series FAWAD HUSSAIN Qatar opener Saqlain the losing side. NR Kumar (5-72) was pick of REUTERS SCOREBOARD THE PENINSULA Arshad scored 97 the bowlers for Canada. BENGALURU India runs against Canada Qatar will meet Denmark today in their S. Dhawan c Bavuma b Shamsi ...... 36 Qatar suffered a hiccup at the ICC Cricket yesterday. fourth match of the event, which forms part South Africa fast bowlers Kagiso R. Sharma c R. Hendricks b B. Hendricks ...... 9 World Cup Challenge League Group A of the qualification pathway to the 2023 Rabada and Beuran Hendricks V. Kohli c Phehlukwayo b Rabada ...... 9 yesterday when they were outclassed by Cricket World Cup . helped restrict India to a low R. Pant c Phehlukwayo b Fortuin ...... 19 Canada by 115 runs in a high scoring match Canada are on top of the points table after total and set up a comfortable S. Iyer st de Kock b Fortuin ...... 5 in Kuala Lumpur. winning all their three matches, followed by series-levelling nine-wicket win H. Pandya c Miller b Rabada ...... 14 Qatar, who defeated Singapore and Singapore and Qatar, who have two wins K. Pandya c de Kock b B. Hendricks ...... 4 for the touring side in the third R. Jadeja c & b Rabada ...... 19 Malaysia in their first two matches, however, apiece. and final Twenty20 interna- W. Sundar run out (de Kock/Rabada) ...... 4 remained optimistic about their chances to Rizlan said Qatar were unfortunate as tional yesterday. D. Chahar not out ...... 0 qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup, with they lost key bowlers in an important match The hosts, who won the N. Saini not out ...... 0 vice-captain Mohammed Rizlan hoping team against Canada. second T20 to take a 1-0 lead Extras (b1, lb2, w12) ...... 15 to bounce back in the ‘long qualification “It was a flat track and we missed our in the series after a washout in Total (9 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 134 phase.’ main bowlers due to injuries,” Rizlan told the first match, managed a Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Sharma), 2-63 (Dhawan), Centuries by NR Kumar (129) and SA The Peninsula from Kuala Lumpur. below par 134-9 in their 20 3-68 (Kohli), 4-90 (Pant), 5-91 (Iyer), 6-98 (K. Wijeyeratne (112) were the highlights of Can- “We have some positives from the match overs after captain Virat Kohli Pandya), 7-127 (Jadeja), 8-133 (Sundar), 9-133 (H. ada’s innings yesterday as they posted a including our opening partnership, which is Pandya) won the toss and opted to bat Bowling: Fortuin 3-0-19-2 (1w), Rabada 4-0- mammoth 379 with the loss of four wickets highest of the tournament so far. at the M.Chinnaswamy 39-0 (8w), Hendricks 4-0-14-2, Phehlukwayo from 50 overs after electing to bat first. RA “Monday’s (today) match against Stadium. 4-0-28-0, Shamsi 4-0-23-1, Pretorius 1-0-8-0 Thomas (51) was the other main scorer for Denmark is crucial for us and we will con- South Africa captain Quinton South Africa Canada. tinue to put our best effort,” he said before de Kock scored a second straight R. Hendricks c Kohli b H. Pandya ...... 28 It was a day to forget for the Qatari adding that Qatar has a strong chance to fifty in the series and remained Q. de Kock not out ...... 79 bowlers who were hit for runs all over the advance in the qualifications for the ICC unbeaten on 79 to help his side T. Bavuma not out ...... 27 ground. World Cup. chase down the target with 19 Extras (lb2, w4) ...... 6 Iqbal Hussain, who conceded 88 runs “We have five matches in this event and ...... balls to spare. Total (one wicket, 16.5 overs) 140 from his 10 overs, took three wickets while However, the other Qatari batsmen suc- then there will be two more events. In all, we Fall of wickets: 1-76 (R. Hendricks) Earlier, Hendricks got Bowling: Sundar 4-0-27-0, Chahar 3-0-15-0 GBW Munaweera took one wicket after cumbed to mounting asking rate and lost will play 15 matches and after that we will bowling figures of 2-14 from his (1w), Saini 2-0-25-0, K. Pandya 3.5-0-40-0 (1w), giving away 91 runs from 9 overs. wickets on short intervals. Eventually, the come to know about our fate. We are con- four overs while Rabada con- H. Pandya 2-0-23-1 (2w), Jadeja 2-0-8-0 Chasing a big total, Qatar got off to a good team was bowled out for 264 runs with seven fident of doing well throughout this phase. ceded 17 runs in his opening Result: South Africa won by nine wickets, start from Kamran Khan (68) and Saqlain balls to spare. Even, anything can happen in this tour- over but recovered well to finish level series 1-1 Arshad (97) as both compiled 149 runs in 25.2 Apart from the openers, Qatar vice nament also as we have two more matches with 3-39. for the opening wicket partnership. captain Rizlan (32) was notable scorer from left,” he added. 10 SPORT MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2019 Qatar will host an exceptional World Cup: Jokanovic

THE PENINSULA projects which are progressing the time and effort needed to DOHA at a fast pace.” The 51-year-old commute between stadiums, added: “I believe in another two training camps and accommo- Slavisa Jokanovic, the new to three years, when all con- dation sites. And for the first coach of Qatar Stars League struction projects are com- time in World Cup history, (QSL) team Al Gharafa, believes pleted, the world will witness competing teams will have the the FIFA World Cup 2022 is the birth of a brand-new same accommodation helping to transform the host country.” throughout the tournament. nation. The former midfielder, who This means players can spend The former Serbia mid- earned 64 caps during his inter- more time on training rather fielder, who began his mana- national career, represented Slavisa Jokanovic than travelling.” gerial career with Partizan Bel- Yugoslavia at the 1998 FIFA during his visit at “Having participated in two grade in 2007, recently toured World Cup and Euro 2000. Al Janoub Stadium. major tournaments, I under- the Supreme Committee for Prior to taking over at Al stand the struggle that comes Delivery & Legacy’s Legacy Gharafa, Jokanovic coached with travelling from one place Pavilion and visited Al Janoub Thailand’s Muangthong United, to the other and how that can Stadium to learn more about the Bulgarian side Levski Sofia, La affect a player’s mental and ongoing plans for the first FIFA Liga’s Hércules and English physical strength,” he added. World Cup in the Middle East. team Watford. In the meantime, Jokanovic Jokanovic praised Qatar’s Jokanovic, who spent two is committed to Al Gharafa and preparations for the tournament, seasons with English giants has overseen a strong start to highlighting the dramatic devel- Chelsea, was impressed by Al his tenure with the Cheetahs, opment the country has Janoub Stadium’s state-of-the- who currently sit joint top of the undergone since winning the art features and modern optimum temperature to play all-year-round no matter the one match a day during the league on ten points. rights to host the event in 2010. technology. football – while just outside it weather,” he added. As for Qatar early stages of the event. “Right now is not the time to “I’ve witnessed first-hand “I was blown away the was still hot.” 2022, Jokanovic also praised the Jokanović said: “The players think about winning titles, but the change Qatar is undergoing moment we arrived at the “No doubt, the cooling tech- compact nature of the tour- and fans are going to enjoy a about working step-by-step with to host the World Cup since stadium. It was incredible, the nology at the stadium will allow nament, highlighting its benefits unique and incredible expe- the team. We are getting ready breaking ground on various temperature inside the stadium Qatar to benefit from this to both players and fans, who rience. The tournament’s for what’s ahead and looking infrastructure and stadium was a cool 21 degrees – the sporting infrastructure will be able to attend more than compact nature will eliminate forward to the challenge.”

Premier League: Klopp’s men move 5 points clear Infantino vows to push ahead with a new Women’s Liverpool defeat Chelsea World League

REUTERS 2-1 to extend perfect start MANCHESTER FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he will push again for the creation of a Women’s World AFP path of Alexander-Arnold and League despite having his initial plan blocked the 20-year-old right-back inside the organisation. smashed a sublime shot past The FIFA head said that the success of this Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Kepa Arrizabalaga into the year’s women’s World Cup showed that there thunderous strike inspired top corner for his first goal was an appetite for top level competition and Liverpool’s 2-1 win against since November 2018. that new tournaments needed to be created. Chelsea as the Premier Clean through on goal, “We have to build on the momentum of this League leaders moved five Abraham should have fantastic World Cup,” Infantino told a conference points clear at the top equalised but could only on the women’s game. yesterday. shoot straight at Liverpool The Swiss official has already announced Jurgen Klopp’s side keeper Adrian, who saved that the 2023 World Cup will feature 24 nations, extended their perfect start with his legs. up from 16, with the venue to be decided next to the title race as they Chelsea thought they had June. became the first club to win equalised in the 27th minute He added that his plan for a global compe- their opening six games in when Cesar Azpilicueta tition for national teams needed to be brought consecutive top-flight prodded home from close back to life. seasons. Alexander-Arnold’s range after Willian’s cross Infantino said he originally came up with blistering free-kick opened deflected to the defender off the idea in 2017 and the plan had received “big, the scoring at Stamford Fabinho. big support” from football officials across the Bridge. But, in a huge world. Roberto Firmino momentum swing, the goal “We then brought it back to the council of increased Liverpool’s was disallowed after a VAR FIFA, where it was, how shall I say? Put on hold? Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (left) celebrates with Trent Alexander- advantage before the interval review showed Mount was Or blocked for probably some sports political Arnold (centre) after scoring their second goal, yesterday. and N’Golo Kante’s fine goal offside in the build-up. reasons? I don’t know exactly why,” he said. was not enough to give Lampard wore a rueful “But we will bring it back on the table until Chelsea tangible reward for thrashed Watford 8-0 on Sat- they bid to win the title for going unbeaten in the last 23. smile on the touchline and, it will be approved.” a vibrant second half. urday, this was the ideal the first time since 1990. Significantly for their title moments later, the Chelsea Infantino also said he wanted to see an After Manchester City response from Liverpool as Pipped to the trophy by prospects, Liverpool’s success manager’s expression was annual Club World Cup for women’s teams to City on the final day of last at the Bridge was just their misery personified as Liv- boost the game outside of the national team PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS season, Liverpool are playing second win in 13 away league erpool doubled their lead in structures. Yesterday’s matches with a burning desire to end games against the other the 30th minute. “We need to create a World Cup for clubs. Crystal Palace 1 (Dendoncker-og 46) Wolves 1 (Jota 90+5) their rivals’ two-year reign as established top-six teams. Andrew Robertson We cannot think that we can seriously develop West Ham 2 (Yarmolenko 44, Cresswell 84) Man Utd 0 champions. Although they were curled over a free-kick from women’s football by only having national Arsenal 3 (Pepe 59-pen, Chambers 81, Aubameyang 84) A’ Villa 2 In contrast to the Cham- hanging on by the end, if Liv- the left edge of the Chelsea teams,” he said. (McGinn 20, Wesley 61) pions League holders’ erpool take more points area and Firmino, gifted far “We need clubs as well and to give them Chelsea 1 (Kante 71) Liverpool 2 (Alexander-Arnold 14, Firmino 30) scrappy midweek defeat at against the big guns, even City too much space by Chris- more reason to invest and to give them a stage Played on Saturday Napoli, this disciplined might struggle to keep them tensen and Marcos Alonso, where they can perform. So I will propose a Club Burnley 2 (Wood 10, 14) Norwich 0 display showed the Premier at bay. rose highest to head his third World Cup. Every year, starting next year or the League is Liverpool’s top pri- Frank Lampard’s raw goal of the season. year after next. I don’t think it takes us a long Everton 0 Sheffield United 2 (Mina 40-og, Mousset 79) ority this term. side, 10 points behind the Kepa made a good save time to organise it,” he said. Leicester 2 (Pereira 69, Maddison 85) Tottenham 1 (Kane 29) They are on a club-record leaders, competed gamely to to stop Firmino putting Liv- The FIFA head said that the format would

Manchester City 8 (D.Silva 1, Aguero 7-pen, Mahrez 12, B.Silva 15, 48, 60, run of 15 successive league offer hope of a bright future. erpool further ahead from see 16 or 24 clubs playing in a tournament of Otamendi 18, De Bruyne 85) Watford 0 wins and have lost just once Mohamed Salah back- Alexander-Arnold’s cross three-to-four weeks and the host nation would in 45 top-flight matches, heeled the free-kick into the early in the second half. be rotated globally. FIFA Awards: Van Dijk threatens to eclipse Ronaldo, Messi

AFP Scala. The towering Dutch In the past three years the side who reached the Nations eliminated in the quarter-finals. MILAN defender helped Liverpool to the podiums for both awards have League final. Ronaldo also won the Nations Champions League trophy last been almost identical apart from Liverpool also missed out on League with Portugal and his first Virgil Van Dijk (pictured) season and is well-positioned Egyptian Mohamed Salah’s third the Premier League title by just Serie A title with Juventus. threatens to eclipse fellow having already won the UEFA place in The Best in 2018, a spot one point behind Manchester Messi was top scorer in the European stars Cristiano Ronaldo player of the year award. occupied by France’s Antoine City. Both Messi and Ronaldo Champions League last season and Lionel Messi to lift FIFA’s The Since The Best award was Griezmann in the Ballon d’Or. have won FIFA’s award in dif- with 12 goals before Barcelona Best Player award today, to set created in 2016, the winner has Based on Liverpool’s success ferent guises five times each. were eliminated by Liverpool in himself up as favourite for this gone on to also lift the coveted last season it could be Van Dijk’s Former Real Madrid star Ron- the semi-finals. year’s Ballon d’Or. Ballon d’Or, which will be turn to become the first defender aldo’s six-year reign as the Cham- The Argentine was also the Van Dijk, Ronaldo and Messi unveiled on December 2. since Italy’s former World Cup pions League top scorer ended top European scorer with 36 are the three men’s finalists for Real Madrid and Croatia mid- winner Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. last season. The 34-year-old goals and won La Liga title with The Best Player award, with the fielder Luka Modric won both The 28-year-old proved scored six goals in Juventus’s Barcelona. winner to be announced today awards last year to end Ronaldo himself among the best European campaign, including an The 32-year-old helped in a star-studded ceremony in and Messi’s ten-year defenders in the world for Liv- incredible treble against Atletico Argentina to bronze at 2019 Milan’s famous opera house La domination. erpool and the Dutch national Madrid, before they were Copa America. MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 11

Qatar’s in action in this file photo.

The Doha Corniche is almost ready to host the inaugural World Championships midnight marathon on September 26. PICTURE: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA Five reasons why Doha Worlds will sparkle

IAAF President Sebastian Coe. “We have to DOHA absolutely maximise every bit of financial potential in our sport through We focus on five very good reasons why those venues, and we wanted this to be the forthcoming IAAF World Athletics a much more equitable process.” Championships Doha 2019 (September 27-October 6) will provide an unforget- 4. MIDNIGHT MARATHONS table 10 days of action. To avoid the intensity of the daytime heat, the decision has been taken to 1. QATARI STARS scrap morning sessions with the intro- Nothing quite lights up a World Cham- duction of split evening sessions with pionship than a home winner and the one-hour intervals to allow for enter- 2019 edition in Doha has a pair of note- tainment and family activities across the worthy gold medal contenders. 10-day programme. In the men’s all eyes will The event will see the inaugural Qatar pin hopes on be on Qatari superstar Mutaz Barshim, mixed 4x400m relay at a World Cham- who after a lengthy injury lay-off is pionship but one of the biggest innova- slowly returning to form and will defend tions will be the men’s and women’s his world title in front of his passionate marathons, which are scheduled to start home fans. at midnight. home hero Barshim The host nation’s other heavyweight World marathon record-holder and performer is 400m hurdler Abder- multiple world champion Paula Rad- rahman Samba, who last year advanced cliffe is relishing the prospect. IAAF The 28-year-old Qatari is the World Championships. And for to No.2 on the world all-time list with a “It’s exciting from a competitor’s DOHA among the world’s best that, the list of candidates seems thunderous 46.98 clocking in Paris. point of view because it’s unique and endless. offers the best conditions for the ath- From the moment Doha was named high jumpers for nearly The world leader is Maksim 2. COOLING SYSTEM letes,” said the 2005 world champion. as the host for this year’s World a decade, collecting Nedasekau, the 21-year-old Bela- Much has been made of the hot condi- “It’s rare that people think about the Championships, no athlete from the Olympic bronze and rusian who improved to 2.35m to tions likely to greet the athletes at the best conditions for the athletes to race host nation has garnered more silver in 2012 and 2016 win the Europe-USA match in World Championships in Doha. in. That has been done here and it will attention than Mutaz Barshim, the and world indoor gold in Minsk on September 9, his only leap However, local organisers should take celebrate the iconic Doha skyline and reigning world high jump better than 2.30m this season. enormous credit that they have sought the way it all lights up along the Cor- champion. 2014 before his triumph Authorised neutral athletes Ilya to address the problem by creating a niche at night.” But over the past 14 months, in London two years ago. Ivanyuk and Mikhail Akimenko state-of-the-art cooling system at the he’s gone from championships have chiseled together good host venue, the Khalifa International 5. NEXT GENERATION poster boy and overwhelming Barshim was undefeated seasons, both topping 2.33m and Stadium. It may be the first IAAF World Champi- favourite to a man locked firmly in in 11 competitions in 2.31m. Last year during an impressive dem- onships not to feature Usain Bolt for 16 a race against time. Andriy Protsenko of Ukraine, onstration of the innovative technology, years but the galaxy of new emerging The 28-year-old has sat among 2017 producing nine the fourth-place finisher at the 2016 track temperatures were set to a pleasant star athletes on show will ensure Doha the world’s best high jumpers for of the year’s 11 highest , topped a 2.31m 24-26C via the revolutionary technology will prove a real hit. nearly a decade, collecting Olympic jumps before he was season’s best to win the Diamond which will guarantee optimal conditions The next generation is led by the bronze and silver in 2012 and 2016 named the World Athlete League title last month, so will be for the athlete and fans alike. Should it likes of US sprint aces Noah Lyles and and world indoor gold in 2014 of the Year. bringing that valuable momentum be necessary, the technology will likely Michal Norman. before his triumph in London two to Khalifa International Stadium. prove a major hit. On the women’s side, watch out for years ago. Then there’s Bogdan Bond- triple sprint European champion Dina He was named World Athlete arenko, the 2013 world champion, 3. SPONSOR LOGOS Asher-Smith of Great Britain and Kenyan of the Year for 2017 after going helped Barshim, but his form indi- who topped 2.31m earlier this The 2019 edition of the IAAF World steeplechase sensation Beatrice undefeated in 11 competitions and cates that nonetheless, he, and his season despite continuing struggles Championships is all about innovation Chepkoech. producing nine of the year’s 11 recovery, might be running out of with injury. and for the first time national teams will In the field, Cuban long jump phe- highest jumps. time. Syria’s Majd Eddin Ghazal, the be permitted to display a logo of a nomenon Juan Miguel Echevarria will The following May he set the He’s competed just three times world bronze medallist, is piecing sponsor on their kit. seek to land a maiden senior outdoor tone for the season early, topping this season, topping a modest 2.27m together a season of firsts which he While many may not view this as a world crown, heavyweight Swedish 2.40m at the Doha Diamond League twice and 2.20m at the IAAF hopes to add to in Doha: jumping hugely significant moment, it as an discus thrower Daniel Stahl hopes to fixture, a height only a dozen men Diamond League final in Zurich, at Khalifa Stadium, he took his first opening of the door which could make stamp his mark on the event, and keep have ever topped. where he finished a distant 10th. Asian title in Doha in April at 2.31m a significant mark on the sport. an eye on Germany’s exciting He went that high again two But Barshim, and fans in the and in July topped 2.30m in London “We only have really big global European long champion Malaika months later at the Gyulai Memorial Qatari capital, do have one thing in to secure his first career IAAF moments every two years,” says IAAF Mihambo. in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, and, their favour: the overall level of the Diamond League victory. feeling good, took three stabs at a event at the moment. Others to consider include 2018 would-be 2.46m world record. Nineteen entrants have topped Diamond League winner Brandon His first was tantalisingly close; 2.30m or better this season, but of Starc of Australia, who has topped he ended his third clutching his those, only four have successfully 2.30m twice, most recently in Tampering doubts over ankle, writhing in pain. Suffering sailed over 2.33m. Zurich; China’s Wang Yu, who ruptured ligaments, he underwent On only one occasion has a topped 2.31m and 2.30m for vic- surgery and was sidelined for the championships-eligible jumper tories in Shanghai and Nanjing; Russian doping samples rest of the year, beginning what has who has topped 2.31m not emerged 2016 world indoor champion Gian- turned out to be a frustrating race from a competition victorious. marco Tamberi, who is also on the AFP If a fraud was revealed, this against the calendar, and now the All that said, a jump of 2.30m, rebound from injury; and 22-year- PARIS clock. or even 2.29m, might be enough old Cuban Luis Zayas, who topped could possibly lead to sanctions The later-than-usual sched- this year to reach the podium – 2.30m to take the Pan-American like banning Russia from future uling of the championships has that’s only happened three times at Games crown. The World Anti-Doping Agency doubts competitions such as the Tokyo the authenticity of files and samples Olympic Games. But the IAAF is retrieved from ’s disgraced former due to reexamine the case for drug-testing laboratory, a source close to the matter has said. reintegrating Russian athletes The Compliance Review Committee ahead of the Doha World (CRC) is preparing to recommend sanc- Athletics Championships. tions and is readying a report to present to WADA at a meeting in Tokyo on possibly lead to sanctions like banning Monday, the source said on Saturday. Russia from future competitions such as This source confirms a tweet from the Tokyo Olympic Games. journalist Hajo Seppelt from German TV Russia has been suspended from all station ARD saying Russia is “suspected international athletics competitions since of having tampered with the samples from 2015, although many of its athletes are the Moscow lab”. given special dispensation to compete A spokesman for WADA confirmed under a neutral banner. Syria’s Majd Eddin Neutral athlete Mikhail Authorised neutral Belarusia’s Maksim the results of the CRC report would be But the IAAF is due to reexamine the Ghazal Akimenko athlete Ilya Ivanyuk Nedasekau made public after the meeting on Monday case for reintegrating Russian athletes but said it was too early to discus them. ahead of the World Athletics Champion- If a fraud was revealed, this could ships that start in Doha. SPORT PAGE | 07 PAGE | 11 Formula 1: Ferrari’s Qatar pin hopes Vettel ends on home hero win drought in Mutaz Barshim at Singapore IAAF Worlds

Monday 23 September 2019 Qatar ready to welcome the world

RIZWAN REHMAT The tournament is a rehearsal for the THE PENINSULA 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and LOC Director General Dhalan Al Hamad Qatar is ready to welcome the We are confident in says hosting major sporting events in world. That was the simple our abilities to host a Qatar is an interconnected series that message yesterday from complement each other. Director General of the LOC magnificent event. We Dhalan Al Hamad, just three want to reflect Qatar’s The LOC hopes to see a doping-free days prior to the start of the image as a sports-loving championship as the IAAF is making 2019 Doha World Athletics country. Our goal is to every effort to fight corruption Championships. show Qatar’s image as To make it a unique edition through sports bodies by educating of the worlds, Doha will stage one of the most open future generations to stay away from the first-ever night marathon countries in the world: steroids and other kinds of sports facing the Corniche waterfront Dahlan Al Hamad corruption. on September 27. “Qatar is ready to host an World Athletics Championships are extraordinary edition of the Ready to inspire a new gener- the third largest among top sporting World Athletics Champion- ation and ready to welcome events after the Olympic games and ships,” Al Hamad said. athletes and fans from all the World Football Cup. “The Khalifa International corners of the world. Stadium is ready and the Local “Qatar is a young and ambi- More than 3,000 media delegations, Organising Committee (LOC) tious nation. We hope that Director General of has finalised the logistical and seeing is believing and as you and 4,000 volunteers from 90 the LOC, IAAF Vice countries will be part of the 10-day organisational level can see today we are ready to President, Dhalan preparations. deliver upon our promises, championships. Al Hamad “We are confident in our from our stadium to our airport, abilities to host a magnificent our infrastructure to accommo- Al Hamad says that Qatar has event. We want to reflect dation and our world-famous experience in hosting major sporting Qatar’s image as a sports-loving hospitality. Everything is in imagination but stem from a events. In 2010, it hosted the World country. Our goal is to show place including a growing single goal of enhancing athletics Indoor Championship for the first Qatar’s image as one of the excitement and energy amongst worldwide,” Al Hamad added. time in the Middle East, as well most open countries in the the local community,” Al Abdulla Al Mulla, Director world,” Al Hamad said. Hamad said. of Media and Broadcasting, as many world championships in “Qatar will impress the “In hosting the first ever said his team has set things in various sports. world with what it will offer in IAAF World Athletics Champi- motion to welcome the media this exceptional edition through onships in the Middle East, we world at the state-of-the-art Al Hamad expects that the World our preparations as Qatar have a shared vision and com- media centre located inside the Athletics Championships will leave always strives to set a dis- mitment in partnering with the Qatar Women’s Sports Com- Qatar a great legacy, enhance future tinctive benchmark when IAAF, to grow participation of mittee’s Indoor Hall. A countdown clock shows the remaining time for the generations’ belief in Qatar’s ability hosting any tournament. Also this wonderful sport across “We will work to provide official opening of the IAAF World Championships to host large sporting events, and the events at the Khalifa Inter- Qatar, the region and the all means of comfort and facil- Doha 2019. create new heroes and runners. national Stadium will be unique world,” he said. ities for the media in order to in terms of environmentally “To have such an ambition convey the true image of the friendly cooling and digital requires innovative, creative and championship and let me tell DSC_1340 technologies that we will use. bold thinking. That is why an you, it will be exceptional by all Even the lighting standard is exciting new schedule exists with standards, whether at the pretty unique,” he added. new formats. That’s why this organisational level, logistics or Al Hamad said before the stadium has cooling technology in any other way,” Al Mulla said. event begins at the iconic and why we want our young ath- In all 1998 athletes will rep- Khalifa International Stadium, letes and our local community resent 209 countries from five Doha will also host delegations to experience it live for them- continents including 1015 male from 211 IAAF member feder- selves. That’s why we will and 983 female athletes. The ations for the 52nd IAAF introduce a midnight marathon. competitions will be held over Congress. All these developments take 10 days at Khalifa International “Delegations from 211 IAAF Stadium and Doha Corniche. federations will meet at the Hamad Al Obaidly, Head of 52nd IAAF Congress, two days Public Relations at Qatar before the start of the tour- Olympic Committee (QOC) and nament. Twenty seven congres- Liaison of the LOC, said: “The sional elections will be held. We are ready to be Qatar Olympic Committee The first day of Congress will gracious hosts. Ready always strives to strengthen witness the ratification of the to connect the world cooperation with local media proposed changes to laws and of athletics. Ready as a key partner in the success regulations,” Al Dahlan, who is of any event and it is the same also the President of the Asian to inspire a new for this tournament also. We Athletics Association, said. generation and ready to are proud to see a huge Track and field memorabilia on display at the IAAF Heritage Exhibition at the City Centre Doha, yesterday. Al Hamad, a Vice President welcome athletes and presence of international and Hundreds of items of athletics clothing and equipment donated and loaned by some of the greatest of the IAAF, said: “We are ready local media getting ready to fans from all corners of athletes are on display at the exhibition, the largest ever of its kind. The exhibition was opened in April to be gracious hosts. Ready to the world: Al Hamad cover the 2019 Doha World connect the world of athletics. Athletics Championships.” to celebrate the history of the IAAF World Athletics Championships.

Technical staff members work on final arrangements at the Khalifa International Stadium, the main venue for the IAAF World Championships Doha 2019, yesterday. PICTURES: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA