THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 SPORTS Party over for Hamilton as new season dawns

MELBOURNE: Lewis Hamilton spent the says his competitive drive remains as flawless pre-season testing, however, deny the Mercedes’ drivers a sweep of Indonesia’s first F1 driver Rio off-season crisscrossing the globe to sharp as ever and his feet will be firmly and team mate Nico Rosberg may again race wins last year and the new SF16-H Haryanto will also add a novelty factor party with A-list celebrities but Formula on the ground once he enters the pad- loom as Hamilton’s stiffest competition car showed impressive speed during when he debuts for Manor Racing. He is One’s reigning champion is adamant dock. “I know there’s still more to come in Melbourne. testing. With only 11 cars finishing last among three rookies set to make their there will be no hangover when he from me-I think I’ve shown that in the While Hamilton has been living life year’s season-opener in Melbourne, race debuts, along with German team returns to work at this week’s season- past two years,” Hamilton, winner in like there is no tomorrow, there is also a however, reliability will be paramount mate Pascal Wehrlein and Britain’s Jolyon opening Australian Grand Prix. The clear Australia last year and in 2008, said this sense that time is running out for his and that quality alone may be enough to Palmer at Renault. Along with the new bookmakers’ favorite to win a third suc- week. “There certainly needs to be some German rival, whose Mercedes contract score points. F1 bosses will hope drivers, F1’s governing body will feel cessive title with Mercedes, Hamilton extra in my tank, as the competition will expires at the end of the season. After Melbourne can lift the off-season gloom some butterflies with the debut of a new will arrive in Melbourne after a whirl- be stronger than ever this year.” Hamilton wrapped up his third title in that has hung over a series which drivers qualifying format which sees drivers pro- wind trip to New Zealand where he took Many invested in motor sport’s pin- Texas last year, Rosberg closed out the have criticized for being over-complicat- gressively eliminated during the three to the skies in a helicopter yesterday nacle series will hope Hamilton is right season with three successive wins, and ed by rule changes and which commer- phases rather than knocked out at the above the mountain resort of about the level of competition he at Albert Park he will hope to prove the cial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he end of each of them. Introduced to Queenstown. expects to face this season. Another win late flourish owed more to his racing would not even bother taking his family make F1 more exciting but approved Hamilton’s frequent flying and party in Melbourne from pole position for the than a dip in his team mate’s motivation. to see. A positive start by Haas, the first less than two weeks ago, the new format lifestyle prompted some pundits to Briton could add more voices to the US-owned outfit in 30 years, would help, has been slammed by drivers. “I’m per- voice concerns about his focus and ener- growing weariness of the Silver Arrows’ Rule changes and the new team will look to upstage sonally not a fan ... and I think, speaking gy levels in the leadup to Sunday’s race dominance. The constructors champions Ferrari, fired by four-time champion more seasoned rivals like Sauber, who on behalf of all the drivers, no driver is,” at Albert Park. However, the 31-year-old are bullish about their car after near- Sebastian Vettel, were the only team to have the same Ferrari engine. Vettel told Sky Sport.—Reuters

Badminton boom in India sparked by Nehwal success

BIRMINGHAM: Biopics are big business in to three hours in the gym long before her . The commercial success in recent teenage years. years of Indian movies on sports stars such as She came to be noticed by SM Arif, who runner and boxer trained anyone who was better than good, have spawned a strong desire for more. including . When Coming soon to the silver screen will be the Gopichand won the All England title in 2001, lives of past and present India captains he inspired Nehwal, who had practiced on Mohammad Azharuddin and Mahendra Singh courts beside him. He proved an Indian could Dhoni, and wrestling coach Mahavir Singh beat the world’s best, and break China’s grip Phogat. Next year will feature . on badminton’s biggest titles. Within three It’s to be the story of her rise to become India’s years, she was training under Gopichand in her first winner of an Olympic badminton medal, a hometown. Wishing future players bronze in London four years ago. It won’t be a would have the infrastructure he never had, life story, she was 22 at the time. Gopichand raised the millions he needed by Indians consume these biopics, not just 2008 to complete his academy, which includes because the films are well made, but because 10 courts, accommodation, gym, pool and they’re inspirational, and Indian sport hasn’t cafetaria. He had only 50 kids then, and was produced a lot of world-beaters. “It’s a good still taking anyone who walked in in 2010. thing,” Nehwal said. “Youngsters get to see But since then, he’s opened up a nine-court their favorite player’s life.” There’s always a plot annex nearby, satellite academies in four other twist or conflict to overcome in these movies. cities, and still can’t meet demand. Call it the For Milkha Singh, the “Flying Sikh,” it was find- Saina Effect. Her enduring success, commercial ing redemption after blowing the 1960 attractiveness, and role-model appeal has Olympic 400-meter final, and for Kom, it was a sparked the badminton boom in India, espe- comeback after having twin boys. Perhaps cially since her London Olympic medal. Nehwal’s biopic will reveal her struggle, Badminton is second only to cricket in active because her career seems to be one long suc- participation in India, and the fourth most fol- cess story. lowed sport after cricket, tennis and football. Badminton is in her genes. The daughter of Racket sales have risen 20 percent annually. players - her scientist father Harvir was a uni- The national association cashed in by organiz- versity champ and her mother Usha a state ing a badminton league with the third highest champ - started in the sport at 9, was India TV following after the cricket and field hockey senior champion at 17, junior world champion leagues. In the inaugural league, Nehwal was SAN ANTONIO: San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) drives around Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers during the first half of an NBA at 18, and winner of her first World Superseries the second highest paid player after top- basketball game on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in San Antonio. — AP event the following year. Since then, she’s ranked Lee Chong Wei. been a fixture in the top four of the world rank- Last year, meeting Nehwal was the one of ings, reaching the summit last year. the prizes in a new junior championships Nehwal was strong for her age, and pushed sponsored by insurance company PNB MetLife Pacers finish strong, to eat right, play right, and focus right by Usha, and organized by Sara Foundation, which whom she credits for her attitude and work scouts for sports talent. Regional competitions ethic. Nehwal came to respect and fear her for under-9s, -11s, -13s and -15s brought the mother, and want to do right by her. Harvir top two in each to playoffs. It was such a hit, thump Celtics 103-98 was the carrot to Usha’s stick; always encour- more cities were entered, an under-17s class aging, emptying the family bank account to added, more academy scholarships offered to pay for Nehwal’s improvement, and getting winners and under-privileged kids, and there her up at 4 a.m. and carrying her on a scooter were more than 3,800 entries for the second Spurs depth on display in win vs Clippers 25 kilometers to training. She would spend up tournament which ends this month.—AP INDIANAPOLIS: Paul George had 25 points as Noel, Ish Smith and Nik Stauskas each had 18. a four-game season sweep of the Los Angeles the Indiana Pacers finished with a strong fourth Bogdanovic’s previous career high was 28 points Lakers with a 106-98 victory. The Lakers, who quarter to beat the Boston Celtics 103-98 against Orlando last April 15. His total was the trailed by as many as 23, got as close as 97-91 on Tuesday night. Monta Ellis added 16 points with most for a Nets player since Deron Williams a pair of free throws by Julius Randle that six assists, and Jordan Hill scored 15 for Indiana. scored 57 on March 4, 2012. The team moved to capped a 15-5 run with 3:14 to play. Rudy Gay Isaiah Thomas had 21 points, eight assists and Brooklyn the following season. Philadelphia has clinched it for the Kings by scoring seven of his six rebounds for Boston. The score was tied at 77 lost 15 of 16 games. The only victory during that 20 points in the final 2:57. This was the first time with about 7 minutes remaining before the stretch came against the Nets at home. the Kings went an entire season without losing Pacers put together a 15 4 run that gave them to the Lakers during the franchise’s 68-year his- enough breathing room to withstand a late KINGS 106, LAKERS 98 tory, which dates back to the 1948-49 Rochester Boston surge. Avery Bradley’s jumper pulled the Darren Collison had 22 points in his ninth Royals. Sacramento has won eight of the last Celtics to 84-81 with about 4 1/2 minutes to go, start of the season, DeMarcus Cousins also nine meetings, after losing 16 of the previous but they got no closer after that. scored 22 and the Sacramento Kings completed 21.— AP

SPURS 108, CLIPPERS 87 Kawhi Leonard had 20 points to help San NBA Results/Standings Antonio wear down the short handed Los Angeles Clippers and match the second-longest Indiana 103, Boston 98; Orlando 116, Denver 110; Brooklyn 131, Philadelphia 114; Toronto 107, Milwaukee 89; San Antonio 108, LA Clippers 87; Sacramento 106, LA Lakers 98. home winning streak to open a season in NBA history. San Antonio won its 33rd straight home Eastern Conference Western Conference game this season, tying Orlando’s start to the Atlantic Division Northwest Division 1995-1996 season. Chicago holds the record at W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 45 22 .672 - JAKARTA: India’s Saina Nehwal hits a backhand return to Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi 37 games in ‘95-96 on the way to a record 72 Toronto 45 21 .682 - Portland 35 33 .515 10.5 during their women’s singles match at the Badminton World Federation champi- wins overall. LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points Boston 39 28 .582 6.5 Utah 32 35 .478 13 NY Knicks 28 40 .412 18 Denver 28 40 .412 17.5 onships at Istora Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. —AP and reserve guards Patty Mills and Manu Brooklyn 19 48 .284 26.5 Ginobili added 15 and 13, respectively, for the Minnesota 21 46 .313 24 Philadelphia 9 58 .134 36.5 Pacific Division Spurs (57-10). Los Angeles (42-24), still playing Central Division Golden State 60 6 .909 - without Blake Griffin, lost its second straight. The Cleveland 47 19 .712 - LA Clippers 42 24 .636 18 9 Ball Tournament Clippers’ reserves, who were without the injured Indiana 36 31 .537 11.5 Sacramento 26 40 .394 34 Chicago 33 32 .508 13.5 Paul Pierce, were outscored 51-20 by the Spurs’ Phoenix 18 49 .269 42.5 KUWAIT: Chairman of the Higher and Kuwait players. Al-Ghunaim said the bench. Detroit 34 33 .507 13.5 Milwaukee 29 39 .426 19 LA Lakers 14 54 .206 47 Organizing Committee of the late Khalid organizing committee plans to develop Southwest Division RAPTORS 107, BUCKS 89 Southeast Division Al-Ghunaim Annual 9 Ball Tournament said the women competition, which was intro- Miami 39 28 .582 - San Antonio 57 10 .851 - the latest Championship was a vital event duced for the first time in the champi- Kyle Lowry scored 25 points as Toronto, Atlanta 38 29 .567 1 Memphis 39 28 .582 18 in the history of the tournament since its onship. He said the level shown by Kuwait despite resting leading scorer DeMar DeRozan, Charlotte 37 29 .561 1.5 Houston 34 33 .507 23 launch in 1984, adding that it completed plays shows that they have skilled players had no trouble with Milwaukee. Giannis Washington 31 35 .470 7.5 Dallas 34 33 .507 23 all the requirements that qualify it to be who can go far in the billiards game, Antetokounmpo had 18 points, 12 rebounds Orlando 29 37 .439 9.5 New Orleans 24 42 .364 32.5 one of the major championships. He said adding that “through Ghunaim and nine assists in 35 minutes for the Bucks, just the top 10 players worldwide participated Championship we will provide suitable missing a triple-double. DeRozan, who averages and the number of professional players atmosphere and opportunities to allow the 23.8 points per game, was in uniform but didn’t who registered was 128 including players improve their skills.” Meanwhile, play after starting each of the team’s first 65 American Sahne Van Boening, German world champion Sane Van Boenign said he games and playing 39 minutes in a loss to Driving us crazy - how ‘boring’ Legend Ralf Souquet and players from was happy to win the title of the late Chicago on Monday night. Raptors rookie America, Italy, Poland, Philippines, Japan Khalid Al-Ghunaim championship. He said Norman Powell, starting for DeRozan despite F1 is trying to put the fun back and Germany in addition to Arab and Gulf he felt at home in Kuwait. averaging only 7 minutes per game, had a sea- MELBOURNE: The longest season in Formula drivers, with Rosberg admitting last week he had son-high 17 points in 34 minutes. One history also risks becoming its most extend- not even bothered to look at it. One fear is that it ed test of patience if efforts to shake up the sport will introduce even more complexity to a sport MAGIC 116, NUGGETS 110 fall flat. Last year was so predictable that even F1 already heavy on technicalities. Toro Rosso’s Evan Fournier scored 30 points and Jason supremo Bernie Ecclestone called it “boring”, Carlos Sainz Jr said: “I read them (qualifying regu- Smith had 25 points and 13 rebounds off the while runaway winner Lewis Hamilton agreed lations) very briefly and I didn’t understand bench to help Orlando beat Denver. Victor the crisis-prone sport was “broken”. With a record them.” “I just hope that the fans that are not big Oladipo scored 23 for the Magic, who led by 18 21 races in 2016, organizers have been searching fans of Formula One and just turn on their TV on in the third quarter before fending off Denver’s hard for ways to boost flagging viewing figures Sunday understand it and they know what’s hap- second-half rally. Brandon Jennings added 12 for a series which is too often dominated by one pening,” he added, according to Autosport.com. points and 11 assists in his first start for Orlando. team. The nightmare scenario is another parade The Nuggets had six players in double figures, for Mercedes, whose drivers Hamilton and Nico ‘Not remote-controlled’ led by Gary Harris with 18 points, but didn’t have Rosberg won 16 of the 19 grands prix last year The cars should at least make more noise this enough energy or firepower to complete the and only missed pole position once. Pre-season year, with twin exhausts introduced after com- comeback. testing in which Mercedes clocked 6,024 kilome- plaints from petrol-heads that the hybrid F1 ters (3,743 miles), nearly a third more than their engines were simply too quiet. A big cut in radio NETS 131, 76ERS 114 closest rivals Ferrari, has cast a sense of forebod- communications will make a genuine difference, Bojan Bogdanovic scored a career-best 44 ing over this week’s season start in Melbourne. forcing drivers to make decisions rather than rely points to help Brooklyn set a season high for Chief among the innovations is a much- on their data-crunching teams in the pitlane. points against Philadelphia. Sean Kilpatrick had debated new qualifying format, which steadily “Strategy, engine-mode deployment, tyre choic- 19 points, Brook Lopez added 18 points and 10 eliminates cars one by one and finishes in a top- es, even up to a point pit stops, a lot will be down rebounds, and Thaddeus Young finished with 14 two shoot-out. But the new system doesn’t look to the driver to decide,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff points and 16 rebounds for the Nets. Isaiah like it will have much impact on the quickest said on Autosport.com. —AFP Canaan led the 76ers with 20 points. Nerlens