QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Bale admits QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Wales’ World Cup qualifying could be his last PAGE 14 TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 Sheikha Asma aims to become first Qatari woman to climb Mount Everest QNA DOHA SHEIKHA Asma Al Thani is aiming to become the first Qa- tari woman to climb Mount Everest in April/May this year as part of her drive to inspire women and young people in the region to challenge stereo- types and fulfill their dreams. Sheikha Asma will travel to Nepal on 1 April to begin her trek to Everest Basecamp I climb mountains because for acclimatization, before at- tempting to summit Everest in it challenges my limits. And mid-May if conditions allow. it is my hope that, by taking Everest represents the on the worlds highest toughest challenge yet on mountains, I can challenge Sheikha Asma’s journey to the stereotypical image of becoming the first woman from the Middle East to com- the traditional explorer plete the Explorers Grand and empower women and Slam, which involves climb- youth in the region to ing all of the Seven Summits challenge themselves and reaching the North Pole and dream bigger. and South Pole. She is only the third Qatari Sheikha Asma Al Thani to ever attempt the climb and, Sheikha Asma Al Thani will travel to Nepal on 1 April to begin her trek to Everest Basecamp for if successful, would become acclimatization, before attempting to summit Everest in mid-May if conditions allow. the first Qatari woman in his- tory to stand 8,849 meters the lives of so many. If they gree to the North Pole as part achieve such feats. Together above sea level. fall, they always get up and An avid adventurer, Sheikha Asma Al Thani has already completed three of an international team of we can all work to inspire the Sheikha Asma Al Thani try harder. And if they lose, of the nine Explorers Grand Slam challenges. In 2018, she became the women from across Europe next generation of women to said: “I have dreamed of they always rise stronger. Ul- and the Middle East, and the achieve their dreams,” said climbing mountains ever since timately, they inspire us all to first Qatari to ski the last degree to the North Pole as part of an interna- first Qatari woman to summit Sheikha Asma. I was young. A dream which be better versions of ourselves. tional team of women from across Europe and the Middle East, and the Aconcagua in 2019. Sheikha Asma Al Thani is has always been ignited by my “I climb mountains be- Prior to this, in 2014, she aiming to inspire women and love of sport and its ability to cause it challenges my lim- first Qatari woman to summit Aconcagua in 2019. Prior to this, in 2014, was among the first group of young people across the Mid- inspire. its. And it is my hope that, by she was among the first group of Qatari women to summit Kilimanjaro. Qatari women to summit Kili- dle East. “In my extensive work taking on the worlds highest manjaro. She is also a senior official within sport in Qatar, I have mountains, I can challenge the “This has been a journey of in the Qatar Olympic Com- seen first-hand the powerful stereotypical image of the tra- region to challenge themselves Sheikha Asma has already lenges. firsts, but this is not my focus. mittee and a key driving force impact that sport and its in- ditional explorer and empow- and dream bigger.” completed three of the nine In 2018, she became the My ultimate dream is to be the behind major Qatari sports credible athletes can have on er women and youth in the An avid adventurer, Explorers Grand Slam chal- first Qatari to ski the last de- first of many Qatari women to projects. FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 EurOPeaN quALifiers frieNDLY Upbeat Qatar seek a hat-trick of wins as they meet Ireland TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA HAVING won against Luxem- bourg and Azerbaijan, World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar would be keen to score a hat-trick of wins in their friendlies when they take on Ireland in the Eu- ropean Zone FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers at the Nagy- erdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, on Tuesday. Following their 1-0 win over Luxembourg in the first match, Felix Sanchez’s men rallied superbly from being a Ireland’s head coach Stephen Kenny shouts instructions to his players goal down to beat Azerbaijan during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A qualification match 2-1, with captain Hassan Al against Luxembourg at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. (AFP) Haydos scoring a brace. Going by Qatar’s and Ire- land’s current form, the for- Coach Kenny backs mer will hold the advantage. Ireland are on a terrible run of results and have yet to win his young guns a game during Stephen Ken- Al Annabi during their training session in Debrecen, Hungary, on Monday on the eve of their FIFA World Cup 2022 European qualifiers friendly against ny’s time in charge. They have Ireland. Qatar beat Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in their earlier matches. DPA enough and never will be. drawn four and lost six under LONDON However, speaking ahead the former Dundalk manager. out good run,” he added. of Tuesday night’s friendly There were positive signs Sanchez hinted he will play MANAGER Stephen Kenny against Qatar in Debrecen, a in Ireland’s 3-2 defeat to Ser- a strong team – the one he has insisted his young guns defiantK enny said: “It would bia but Saturday night’s 1-0 fielded against Luxembourg will be Ireland stars as he at- be too easy for me to say that reversal to Luxembourg has last Wednesday. tempts to guide them through we’ll have long-term success compounded Ireland’s awful “I have an idea about the their World Cup misery. with this, but what I will say is run of form. team we will play but will take a Ireland followed a hard- that all of those players com- With Tottenham full-back final decision after today’s train- fought 3-2 Group A defeat in ing through, a lot of them are Matt Doherty and Enda Ste- ing. Whoever plays will have Serbia with a demoralising very talented. vens ruled out, 58th ranked to give their 100 percent. We 1-0 reverse at home to Lux- “There are some sugges- Qatar will fancy their chances always strive to work hard and embourg on Saturday evening tions that they’ll all end back against Ireland, who are 29th prepare our best to compete in to cement a start to the new playing in Ireland and that in FIFA rankings. the best possible way,” he said. campaign which has dramati- they’re not that talented. All With only five teams in Meanwhile, striker Almoez cally reduced their chances of those players that have come World Cup qualifying Group Ali said: “We hope to continue qualification. in - Dara O’Shea, Jason Knight, A, Qatar are playing the odd our good form. We want to Seven of the men who Jayson Molumby, Aaron Con- team out in each matchday as play as a team with collective played in those two games – nolly, Caoimhin Kelleher, they prepare to host the tour- and fighting spirit, which has Mark Travers, Dara O’Shea, Gavin Bazunu and all of those nament at the end of next year. been key for our success in the Aaron Connolly, Jayson players, they will all have good Despite Ireland’s woeful recent past. Molumby, Gavin Bazunu, Ja- careers at the top level. form and injury concerns, Qa- “It doesn’t matter who son Knight and Troy Parrott “They are going to be good tar coach Sanchez is expect- scores, the important thing is – were aged 22 or under, and players for Ireland in the fu- ing a ‘difficult confrontation’ Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (centre) expects a ‘difficult confrontation’ against a ‘strong team’ on Tuesday for the team to provide a de- among the criticism which has ture and they are talented against a ‘strong team’. despite Ireland’s woeful form and injury concerns. cent performance. Personally, engulfed Kenny and his play- players, and you will see them “There is no doubt that it I want to help the team and ers since has been a suggestion blossom – and other players is a difficult match against a recent defeats. That will mo- high level match, especially in their line-up. We will try to this is my goal and if I get the that some of the youngsters in- like Troy Parrott as well and strong team that will be look- tivate them,” the Spaniard from the physical point of provide the best possible level opportunity I will score goals troduced by the former Under- players I haven’t even men- ing to bounce back from their said on Monday. “I will be a view. They have good players in order to continue the good of course.” 21s boss are simply not good tioned,” he added. Sports Tuesday, March 30, 2021 13 Vinales & Yamaha: Heroes in Qatar again that the combination is here to It’s been a Ducati stranglehold in stay at the top of the Champi- onship for the foreseeable. recent years, but a repeat of 2017 Since winning his first race with Yamaha in Qatar at the sees the top gun take season-opener start of the 2017 season, it’s fair to say it hasn’t complete- honours under lights at Losail ly gone to plan for Vinales in Iwata blue.