FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 WWINTERINTER GGAMESAMES | Page 6 Chelsea World champ coach Conte Bailey rips IOC won’t be over Russian fi red for now doping mess Thursday, February 8, 2018 CRICKET Jumada I 22, 1439 AH Sublime Kohli guides GULF TIMES India to crushing win over South Africa SPORT Page 4 ‘Fun Run’ to promote Asian Games today By Sports Reporter legacy it left for us. This legacy had a one for two-km for the students, and Doha great impact on the development of the other for one-km for the rest of the sport movement in the country the participants,” QOC’s Sport Aff airs that has now become a global sport Department director Khaleel al-Jaber hree hundred schoolchildren hub,” al-Buenain said. said. along with Team Qatar cham- The Asian Games will be held in Indo- On Qatar’s preparations for the Asian pions will take part in the ‘Fun nesia from August 18 to September Games in Indonesia, he said: “Qatar’s TRun’, an event to promote the 2, 2018, with 10,000 athletes from 45 started its preparations last year as upcoming 18th Asian Games Jakarta- countries of the region participating in more than 500 athletes are expected Palembang 2018, at the Aspire Park 462 disciplines. to participate in the Asian Games. We today. Indonesia will be hosting the Asian have won 10 gold medals in the 2014 Addressing a press conference, Qatar Games for the second time, following Asian Games and the QOC is working Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary- the fourth edition in Jakarta in 1962. closely with its sport federations to general Jassim al-Buenain yesterday The Fun Run events will run right achieve more in this year’s event.” said, “As directed by HE Sheikh Joaan through July 18 in Jakarta, exactly one OCA director general Husain al-Musal- bin Hamad al-Thani, the QOC presi- month before the opening ceremony lam thanked HE Sheikh Joaan bin Ha- dent, we are delighted to support the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary-general Jassim al-Buenain (fifth from left) QOC’s Sport Aff airs Department of the Games at the Gelora Bung Karno mad al-Thani for hosting this important Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in its director Khaleel al-Jaber (third from left), OCA director general Husain al-Musallam (fourth from left) and other off icials at Main Stadium in the Indonesian capital. event to promote the Games. campaign for the Asian Games which yesterday’s press conference. “Jointly, teams from the QOC and the “Qatar hosting this event reminds us of will be held this year in Indonesia by OCA are working together to organise the 15th Asian Games in 2006 in Doha, organising the Fun Run event tomor- Qatar champions and other residents.” programme among 45 national Olym- stan in Lahore on December 7, 2017. the run. School children, professional which had a great positive impact on row morning at the Aspire Park. Three Al-Buenain said OCA is organising the pic Committees around the continent, “We carry beautiful memories from the athletes, Qatari artists are invited to the sport movement not only in Qatar, hundred schoolchildren will participate series of ‘Fun Run’, a dedicated social to promote the Asian Games. 2006 Asian Games which were hosted participate in this special event which but in the Middle East,” al-Musallam in the event, joined by our own Team sports development and promotion The first ‘Fun Run’ was hosted by Paki- in Qatar and we are very proud of the includes two running competitions, said. FOOTBALL/ QNB STARS LEAGUE Big guns have a lot at stake on day of the Qatar Clasico If Al Rayyan beat Al Sadd and Al Duhail lose to Al Gharafa, it would trigger a frantic race to the finish with just six games remaining By Sports Reporter Doha s Al Rayyan and Al Sadd get caught up in the Qatar Cla- sico hype, Al Duhail are intent on going about their business Aquietly and effi ciently in the QNB Stars League as they have done throughout this season. The defending champions, who are still unbeaten in the Qatar Stars league this season, are well aware that they have their sixth title well within their grasp provided they don’t suff er a late season meltdown. Although only two points separate them at the top and Al Sadd, it’s Djamel Belmadi’s Al Duhail who have caught Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira. that is a great responsibility. We have a ers and we have a policy to groom the imagination of fans with their squad of many youngsters and we hope youngsters. Al Duhail and Al Sadd dashing brand of football they have ex- and we are well prepared for that. Of to play a good match against Al Duhail. must keep winning as Al Rayyan are hibited throughout the season. course Al Rayyan and Al Sadd have a We have decided to rest some senior close behind. I am also happy that Their Moroccan striker Youssef El historic rivalry in Qatar but it’s im- players for this game in view of our Akram Afi f has joined us.” Arabi is the leading scorer this season portant for us to not worry too much forthcoming AFC Champions League Ferreira added that the return of with a whopping 20 goals, six clear of about what they are up to.” fi xture,” said Uygun. Baghdad Bounedjah after a long injury his Tunisian teammate Youssef Msa- Belmadi, whose team will be also in- “I am very confi dent in the young break augurs well for his team. kni, while Al Rayyan’s Abdelrazzaq volved in the AFC Champions League players and their abilities. Al Duhail “Our strength is team work and not Hamdallah is third with 12. this season was happy about the fact have some good players much like Al individual players. Ours is a squad con- But Belmadi, was not getting carried that a total of four Qatari teams would Rayyan and Al Sadd. They are perhaps sisting of many star players. The return away at his press conference ahead of be fi guring in this year’s lucrative con- the strongest side in the QNB Stars from injury of Baghdad Bounedjah Al Duhail’s match against Al Gharafa tinental event, which gets underway League, but we will try to win.” means another player would be on the today next week. The Turk added for good measure bench,” said Ferreira. “Our goal is to keep winning and we “We are happy to also have three that Al Gharafa are not scare of any Al Sadd’s attacking midfi elder are fully prepared for tough times that other Qatari clubs — Al Sadd, Al team. Jugurtha Hamroun, who also attended require us to stay concentrated. The Gharafa and Al Rayyan — in this year’s “We neither fear any team nor think the press conference, said he was full title race is still wide open and it’s too AFC Champions League. Managing about their players or standings. Rath- of confi dence ahead for his team’s clash early to talk about winning the league,” the team technically well will be im- er, we focus on our players and what against Al Rayyan. portant in the next phase and we must they can do to win matches. The per- “I don’t think there is any shortage be ready for all championships. formance in the last few games in the of motivation or confi dence. It’s the He also praised Al Gharafa for rop- league does not actually refl ect our true biggest match in Qatar’s league and ing in Dutch star Wesley Sneijder and level. We have quality players who can everyone is motivated. I hope we beat Iran’s Mahedi Taremi during the re- make a big diff erence and we deserve a Al Rayyan and make up for our earlier cent transfer window. better position in the standings.” loss,” said the Algerian. “Al Gharafa have undergone some Meanwhile, Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Meanwhile, Al Rayyan have just changes after the winter transfer peri- Ferreira exuded confi dence ahead of his strengthened the squad with defender Al Duhail striker Youssef El Arabi Al Duhail have 39 points from 15 od and they have a new coach in Bulent team’s Qatar Clasico against Al Rayyan Ahmed Yasser, who played for Spanish is the leading scorer in the league matches, while Al Sadd have 37 and Al Uygun. Even otherwise, all matches at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium to- side Cultural Leonesa, joining them with 20 goals so far. At left, Duhail Rayyan 39, meaning today could turn are diffi cult at this stage. They have day. They also have Abdulrahman al- coach Djamel Belmadi. out to be the most decisive day this been improving of late and have lost “The game is crucial and we know Harazi after his loan period to Al Sailiya season as far as the QNB Stars League only once in the second phase.” the importance of winning it though and Hossam Kamal following his loan told journalists. is concerned. However, Al Gharafa, who are 19 we still have seven games remaining. move to Al Arabi. “This match is important for both If Al Rayyan beat Al Sadd and Al Du- points off the pace, have decided to The players are aware of it. We had teams, especially for us, and we have hail lose to Al Gharafa, it would trigger concentrate on the Champions League not been playing with a full squad for TODAY’S FIXTURES to win it.