BASKETBALL | Page 6 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 10 Westbrook Messi-Suarez To Advertise here shines as West penalty vs Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 beat East in Celta creates Kobe’s farewell controversy Tuesday, February 16, 2016 CRICKET Jumada I 7, 1437 AH Smith delights as GULF TIMES Australia close in on top ranking SPORT Page 8 FOCUS We are focused for Rio Games, says al-Rumaihi ‘We are going to Europe for a tough tour where we will compete with the world’s best riders to get ready for Rio’ By Yash Mudgal Doha ith only fi ve months to go for the Rio Olympics, Qatar rider Ali al- Rumaihi (pictured) is focussed and excited as he gears up for the Wbiggest sporting spectacle in the world. “We are very much focused for the Rio Games,” al-Rumaihi told Gulf Times yesterday, adding that the team has plans to take part in some international showjumping competitions to prep for the quadrennial event. It’s a fi rst for Qatar to qualify for equestrian at the Olympics. Headed by Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani and composed of al-Rumaihi, Khalid al-Emadi and Bassem Hassan Mohamed, the team had a very successful year in 2015. “Qualifying for the Olympics was a his- toric moment for us. It had been a goal for our team for the last two years and we achieved it. Now, our focus is to be in the best shape for the Games,” he said. “We are going to Europe for a long and tough tour where we will get to compete with the world’s best riders to get ready for Rio,” al-Ru- maihi said. The team won gold in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon but it was during the Furusiyya 2015 Series in Abu Dhabi where the team secured their well-deserved qualifying spot for Rio. With only one spot available for the entire re- gion, the team had to perform at a really high level to book their tickets to Rio. “We did the hard work last year. It was a good year during which we secured the Olympic berth and won the Challenge Cup in Barcelona in Sep- tember,” he said. Global Champions Tour (GCT) will start the European season, but before that al-Rumaihi will also take part in some events in the Gulf re- gion. He will represent the Qatar team in HH The Emir’s Sword International Showjumping Championship and CHI Al Shaqab 2016 in cou- ple of weeks’ time before going to Al Ain for Na- Al Shaqab gears up for annual CHI AL SHAQAB 2016 tions Cup. “Usually I don’t take part in all the events, but By Sports Reporter my coach insisted me to participate in as many Doha events as possible to get some crucial practice before the Rio Games,” he said. Al-Rumaihi praised coach Jan Tops for the nder the patronage of progress Qatar’s showjumping team has been HE Sheikh Mohamed bin making. Hamad al-Thani and HE “He (Tops) is the best and helped us to grow as Sheikha Al Mayassa bint a team. We have really worked hard together. He UHamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Al did a good job with our team,” he said. Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foun- Al-Rumaihi began competing internationally dation for Education, Science and in 2006 when in his fi rst major championship Community Development (QF), is he won an individual gold medal at the Asian organising CHI AL SHAQAB 2016 Games. He has since competed in two Pan Arab from March 2 to 5, in Doha. Games, and the 2010 Asian Games and World The fourth edition of the pres- Championships. In 2011, he won the individual tigious equestrian competition, gold and the team bronze medal at the Pan Arab sponsored by ExxonMobil, will see Games in Doha. top-ranking local, regional and in- Al-Rumaihi is a pillar in the squad as he is a ternational riders compete in Show Event director Omar al-Mannai, CHI AL SHAQAB president Fahad Saad al-Qahtani, ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Alistair Routledge and rider with plenty of mileage and ring craft. Jumping CSI 5* and CSI 4*, Dressage Qatar rider Ali al-Rumaihi at a press conference here yesterday. He has shown his skill with several horses and CDI 5* and Para-Dressage compete inherited the love for horses from his father. for prizes totalling €1.2mn (QR5mn). tators alike,” said president and gen- as an array of food and beverages the equine sport and business world across their worldwide network, as “I started when I was very young… around six Along with the competitions, mem- eral manager for ExxonMobil Qatar choices. The Area will also include will be in attendance. well as online. years of age. I got my passion for riding horses bers of the public can look forward Alistair Routledge. a child care facility which parents CHI AL SHAQAB is a key com- CHI AL SHAQAB 2016 is one from my father who was into horse breeding. He to a host of entertaining activities “This year, we’re proud to expand with toddlers can use. petition in the international eques- of only four international annual put us into showjumping,” the 34-year-old rider planned throughout the duration of our collaboration as the main spon- Event director CHI AL SHAQAB trian calendar whereby riders can equestrian competitions that show- said. the four-day event. sor of the Al Shaqab Equine Educa- Omar al-Mannai, said: “The fourth receive points to qualify for the Rio cases three or more equestrian dis- Talking about his horses, he said: “Every rider “CHI AL SHAQAB signifi cantly tion Centre, which instils lifelong edition of CHI AL SHAQAB prom- Olympics 2016. It is also the last op- ciplines in one event. wants to win but it all depends how your horse contributes to the international leadership skills and a sense of re- ises to be the best one yet with portunity for teams competing in Al Shaqab Hotel, Careem, Nasser feels on the day. I have one horse in good condi- equestrian sport and business com- sponsibility in its students. This is record participation expected. The the discipline of Dressage to qualify bin Khalid, Reach Out To Asia, are tion right now, but another has some injury is- munity. Through events such as critical to creating a confi dent and equestrian competitions always at- for the Olympics. partners of CHI AL SHAQAB. sues.” these, Al Shaqab aims to preserve well-equipped generation who can tract the crowds and are set to be the CHI Al SHAQAB the fi rst event For Wednesday and Thursday He said that luck also plays a very important and promote the Arabian equine build a bright future for Qatar. highlight of the event.’’ of the CSI 4* Jumping tour tak- the day tickets are priced at QAR20 role in equestrian. heritage while promoting Qatar and “At ExxonMobil Qatar, we devote Competing in the event, Sheikh ing place in Doha over three weeks, for adults (above the age of 12) and “You have to keep a balance. Injuries can hap- the region,’’ said Al Shaqab execu- much of our energy to developing Ali al-Thani, CSI 5* Show Jumper, which also present an opportunity QAR10 for children (above the age pen any time. Sometimes you are doing fi ne and tive director and CHI AL SHAQAB human capacity through our local who is part of the Olympic Qatari for riders to gain qualifying points of 6); while for Friday and Satur- suddenly something stupid happens.” president Fahad Saad al-Qahtani. partnerships, and we do this by pro- Team said: “CHI AL SHAQAB is the for the Olympics. day tickets are priced at QAR40 Al-Rumaihi is also familiar with Brazilian “We’re very happy to announce an- viding unique learning opportunities. most anticipated annual equestrian After CHI AL SHAQAB, the sec- for adults (above the age of 12) and conditions. “I have been to Brazil twice… for a other page in the history of our part- Ultimately, we aim to fulfi l His High- event in the country. It’s a phenom- ond event will take place at the Qa- QAR10 for children (above the age of GCT event and once for Army World Equestrian nership with CHI AL SHAQAB, which ness the Emir’s vision of a knowledge- enal opportunity to be able to com- tar Equestrian Federation, and the 6). Children up to 5 years can access Games in 2011 and 2009,” the horsemen said. has become a fl agship international based economy,” added Routledge. pete in this year’s event.” third will take place at Katara Cul- the event free of charge. Tickets will The world’s best horses and riders will com- equestrian event. I am confi dent that The Festival Area will off er visi- Members of the Qatari Royal tural Village. be available online at Q-Tickets, and pete for medals in the Olympic disciplines of this year will be a stellar one for CHI tors, access to a dedicated family Family and members from royal beIN SPORTS will be the of- starting from March 2 at the ticket eventing, dressage and showjumping over 12 AL SHAQAB and a wonderful experi- entertainment zone featuring pony families across the GCC, as well as fi cial host broadcast for CHI AL booth in the AL SHAQAB Spectator days of intense competition at Deodoro near ence for both competitors and spec- and horse-carriage rides as well local and international VIPs within SHAQAB, showing the competition Plaza.