NBA | Page 5 Curry comes up clutch to lead Warriors past 76ers Monday, March 4, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada II 27, 1440 AH Jorginho fi res GULF TIMES Chelsea to victory as Kepa shines SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT Dr Thani al-Kuwari elected OCA Vice-President r Thani bin Abdulrahamn al-Kuwari, revenues are distributed among national Olym- the Second Vice-President of the Qa- pic committees. tar Olympic Committee (QOC), was Sheikh Ahmad welcomed the delegates to elected Vice-President of the Olympic the Arnoma Hotel in the presence of Thai- DCouncil of Asia (OCA) during its General Assem- land’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, Weerasak bly meeting in Bangkok yesterday. Kowsurat, and the Deputy Prime Minister and A delegation headed by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Thailand National Olympic Committee Presi- Hamad al-Thani, the President of the QOC, and dent, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwang. including QOC Secretary-General Jassim al- After the official speeches, the OCA showed Buenain and Director of the QOC Sport Affairs a short video of the history of the Asian Games, Department Khaleel al-Jabir represented Qatar which dates back to the First Far Eastern Cham- at the meeting. pionship Games in 1913 in Manila before the Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad first Asian Games took place in 1951 in New al-Sabah was re-elected President of the OCA. Delhi. With the next two Asian Games host cit- Sheikh Ahmad won a new five-year term un- ies already decided through to 2026, this gives til 2024, the OCA said, extending a reign that the movement a history of 113 years. started in 1991 over the body that controls the The Sheikh Fahad Hiroshima Asia Sports Asian Games and other regional events. Fund award was presented to the former Mayor “I will do all I can to continue working for of Hiroshima at the 1994 Asian Games, Takashi this organisation,” he said at the OCA general Hiraoka. assembly in Bangkok. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, the Second Vice-President Among his Olympic duties is leading Olym- OCA’s 12th Asian Games in the Japanese city. of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Jassim al-Buenainin, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attend the Olympic Council of Asia’s pic Solidarity, which decides how broadcast Hiraoka was the Mayor from 1991 to 1999. General Assembly in Bangkok. FOCUS GOLF England Ryder Cup star David Qatar clubs in focus Howell set for as Asian Champions Doha return League starts today Al Rayyan take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad today; Al Sadd, Duhail in action tomorrow Agencies Doha ith the Asian Cup re- cently added to their By Sports Reporter trophy cabinet, Qatari Doha soccer is preparing Wfor an all-out assault on the Asian Champions League. Beware of the wind!” is David Howell’s sound The continental club champion- advice on how to play the challenging Peter Har- ship launches today with Al Duhail radine-designed Doha Golf Club when the 22nd looking to become the fi rst club “staging of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters from west Asia to claim the title gets underway on March 7. since fellow Al Sadd in 2011. Howell has come close to being an ever-present Al Duhail have already made competitor in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. waves before a ball has been kicked. Since playing in the inaugural event in 1998, the current Coached by Jose Mourinho’s European Tour Tournament Committee Chairman has long-time assistant Rui Faria, they missed only the 2005 and 2007 editions. have already made some key sign- In that time, the likeable Englishman, who is also a ings. regular television golf pundit and broadcaster, has had Just days after signing Moroc- fi ve top-10 fi nishes and came in fourth in 2003, just co international defender Mehdi three shots off the winner, South Africa’s Darren Fi- Benatia from Juventus, Al Duhail chardt. splashed a record $40 million to “I’m a great fan of Doha Golf Club and the Commer- capture highly-rated Japan inter- cial Bank Qatar Masters,” says Howell, who has played national winger Shoya Nakajima more than 600 tournaments in his illustrious European from Portugal’s Portimonense. Al Rayyan star Rodrigo Tabata leads Tour career. “After the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the The fee paid for the 24-year-old a training session in Jeddah yesterday. Qatar Masters is the oldest and most well-established eclipsed the $29 million paid by Al Rayyan will take on Saudi Arabia’s tournament in the Middle East and it’s a course the Parma to Roma for two-time Asian Al Ittihad in a Group D AFC Champions players love to play. Player of the Year Hidetoshi Nakata League match today. “It’s a driver’s layout,” says Howell, “but you have in 2001, making Nakajima Japan’s to make sure you respect the wind because it’s always most expensive player. there. It’s a really tough test, although there are birdie A record-equalling nine wins in Al Ahli, in group D tomorrow. Thailand’s Buriram United in group Meanwhile, Al Rayyan will take ance in the competition, although and eagle chances to be had. The 639-yard par-5 ninth a row took Al Duhail to the verge of Al Duhail, meanwhile, begin G, which also includes two-time on Saudi Arabia’a Al Ittihad today they have yet to progress beyond is the longest on the course, yet the par-4 16th is an ea- the 2018 semi-fi nals. their campaign against Iran’s Es- winners Jeonbuk Motors from in Jeddah. the group stage. gle opportunity and if you can produce a big hit on the The squad featured fi ve of the teghlal on Tuesday in group C, South Korea and China’s resurgent The Saudi side are two-time They defeated the Islamic Re- 589-yard par-5, 18th it can provide the perfect place for side that would go on to win the which also features former winners Beijing Guoan. AFC Champions League winners, public of Iran’s Saipa 3-1 in the a spectacular fi nish.” Asian Cup for Qatar in the United Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates Roger Schmidt’s Beijing will having lifted the trophy in 2004 play-off round to qualify for the Howell, who was on the winning team in both his ap- Arab Emirates, including top scorer and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. be one of four teams looking to and 2005, but they have been less tournament but have lost both their pearances in The Ryder Cup, in 2004 at Oakland Hills, Almoez Ali and infl uential mid- Japan’s reigning champions take the title back to China for of a force in recent years and exited Qatar Stars League games since and Michigan, USA, and in 2006 at the K Club in Kildare, fi elder Assim Madibo. Kashima Antlers, who won last the fi rst time since the second of at the group stage in their last ap- are fourth in the table. Ireland, by the same emphatic score of 18.5 to 9.5, says: Al Duhail are joined Al Sadd, year’s two-legged decider against Guangzhou Evergrande’s two tri- pearance. Al Ittihad are enduring Defender Mohamed al-Alawi “It’s a great fi eld as always with plenty of former Ryder semi-fi nalists last year, and Al Iranian side Persepolis 2-0, begin umphs in 2015. a diffi cult season in the Saudi Pro believes that the 2019 edition could Cup players and past winners - it’s an interesting com- Rayyan. Al Rayyan take on two- their defence against Malaysian Evergrande are also represented, League and currently sit in the bot- be a special one for The Lions. bination of young, rising stars competing with experi- time winners Al Ittihad from Saudi debutants Johor Darul Ta’zim tp- along with big-spending domestic tom two, but go into the game on “I would like to give my congrat- enced campaigners which should add up to an exciting Arabia today in Group B while Al day. league winners Shanghai SIPG and the back of a 1-1 draw with Jeddah ulations to the people of Qatar and four days.” Sadd, impressive last season with Urawa Red Diamonds, who won Shandong Luneng in the 32-team rivals Al Ahli on Friday. the fans of Al Rayyan for this vic- The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters takes place at Xavi Hernandez at the heart of the title in 2017, return after miss- tournament, which runs until mid- Tournament regulars Al Rayyan tory. Hopefully now the best is yet Doha Golf Club from March 7-10. Entry for spectators midfi eld, face another Saudi side, ing the 2018 edition and take on November. are set to make their ninth appear- to come,” said the 32-year-old. is free of charge. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 4, 2019 FOOTBALL EPL FOCUS Brendan Rodgers’s return starts with Watford defeat AFP looked set for all three points as Leicester laboured despite domi- Liverpool London nating possession. One incisive Youri Tielemans rendan Rodgers’s fi rst pass, though, undid the Watford match as Leicester boss defence and Jamie Vardy prodded ended in a dramatic de- home his 10th goal of the season rue missed feat as Andre Gray scored 15 minutes from time. Bin stoppage time to give Watford a Leicester even had a chance to 2-1 win at Vicarage Road.