Luka Doncic stars in win over Lakers as Dallas top NBA Christmas FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 PAGE 11 HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, delivering a speech and honouring dignitaries during the ceremony at Msheireb Downtown Doha on Thursday evening. HE Sheikh Joaan felicitates organisations and individuals for 2030 Asian Games bid success TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ment and Managing Director only the beginning. DOHA and CEO of Qatar Rail, HE “We have a lot to accom- Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, plish in the coming days and THE Qatar Olympic Committee First Vice-President of the Qa- years in order to fulfill our (QOC) in a befitting ceremony tar Olympic Committee, HE promises with our deep ap- held at Msheireb Downtown Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin preciation for everyone who on Thursday evening honoured Ahmed Al Thani, President of stayed up and continued to all those who worked towards the Football Association, HE work creatively and sincerely.” the successful Doha 2030 bid Hassan Al Thawadi, Secre- He concluded by saying: file – which saw the nation win tary-General of the Supreme “Brothers and sisters, we will the right to host the 2030 Asian Committee, HE Saad bin embark on a new phase of con- Games recently. Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Chair- tinuous, serious and profes- Doha was named as the man of The Public Works Au- sional work starting from now. host city for the 2030 Asian thority Ashghal, sports lead- Our ambition has no limits Games at the Olympic Council ers, heads of federations and especially as we work accord- of Asia’s (OCA) General As- the local media. ing to the strategy of achieving sembly in Muscat, Oman, on Sheikh Joaan praised the and building the national and December 16. hard work of all who contrib- continental heritage.” The QOC ceremony, held uted in making the Doha 2030 Abdul Hadi Al Sahli of the under the patronage of HE bid a big success, saying he Marketing and Communica- Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al was proud of each one of them. tions Department of the Qatar Thani, Chairman of the Doha “More than two months Olympic Committee said the 2030 Bid Committee, and ago we submitted to the Olym- 2030 Asian Games will be a President of the Qatar Olym- pic Council of Asia the Doha landmark event in the history pic Committee, saw organi- bid document in order for Qa- of the continent. sations and individuals, who tar to host the Asian Games “Doha is the choice of Asia, played a role in Doha winning for the second time after host- We say hello to the people of the bid to host the 2030 Asian ing the “Games of your life” in Asia, hello to the future! Wel- Games, being honoured. 2006,” Sheikh Joaan said. come to the games that will Among those felicitated by “And we meet tonight in change the face of the conti- HE Sheikh Joaan included HE celebration of this achievement nent. We will write the most Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz where you proved your compe- beautiful pages of the present bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister tence and lived up to the confi- take on this national mission.” victory in reality is a promise our beloved country for the even of the world, and it is no and the future when we host of Municipality and Environ- dence that was placed in you to Sheikh Joaan added: This that we made in the name of sports community in Asia and secret to all of us that this is the Asian Games,” he said. Federer, Serena among entries for Australian Open AFP/DPA MELBOURNE Men’s qualifiers in Doha to feature 128 pros ROGER Federer and Serena Williams were among the en- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK The development comes qualifying rounds are held tries announced on Thursday DOHA as a result of the health and under the strictest health and for the coronavirus-disrupt- safety measures been put safety condition. ed Australian Open, with IN a further nod to Qatar’s in place due to the current All members of the organ- tournament director Craig globally acknowledged prow- COVID 19 global pandemic. izing committee and other Tiley vowing a “happy Slam” ess in hosting major sporting The event in Doha will supporting staff and volun- after months of painstaking events, the Association of give qualifiers time to travel teers will be undergoing a planning. Tennis Professionals (ATP) to Australia and complete two PCR test to ensure the safety All the world’s top players and the Qatar Tennis, Squash weeks of quarantine before of all the participants. have signed on, led by world and Badminton Federation the warm-up events start on Tournament Director and number ones Novak Djokovic (QTSBF) recently confirmed January 31, the ATP said. QTF Board Member, Karim and Ashleigh Barty. Doha as the host of the quali- The confirmation from ATP Alami, said, “Selecting Doha There was a question mark fying matches of the 2021 follows weeks of speculation to host the 2021 Australian over Swiss great Federer, who Australian Open. about the future of next year’s Open qualifiers due to coro- warned this month he was in a The qualifying rounds, event. navirus pandemic reflects the “race against time” to be fit af- which will be held from Janu- While the ATP only runs global trust in Qatar’s abili- ter two rounds of knee surgery. ary 10 to 13 at the Khalifa In- the men’s side of profes- ties, and we are not going to But he has begun training ternational Tennis and Squash sional tennis, it has to be in leave any stoned unturned and was among those entered Complex in Doha, will feature sync with the Women’s Tennis in organizing a world-class to play at Melbourne Park as A file photo taken shows Roger Federer hit a return against Novak Djokovic during their men’s singles 128 professional players Association (WTA), and the In- event.” he targets a seventh title. semi-final of the Australian Open in Melbourne in January 2020. (AFP) out of which 16 will advance ternational Tennis Federation Alami also stressed that US superstar Williams, into the main rounds of the (ITF) around the four majors the federation would work who like Federer turns 40 next to welcoming the world’s best again, something they’ve played in front of at least 50 season-opening Grand Slam played every year. alongside with the health au- year, is also committed as she players to Melbourne and missed for most of this year.” percent of normal crowds, has scheduled for February 8-21 Qatar Tennis Federation thorities to ensure the safety once again attempts to pull lev- what promises to be a spec- “There are so many great sto- been pushed back three weeks in Melbourne, three weeks is leaving no stone unturned of the players and to organize el with Margaret Court as a 24- tacular Australian Open fol- rylines for AO 2021,” said Tiley. until February 8. later than usual. in their bid to ensure that the a risk-free event. time Grand Slam champion. lowing a year of disruption “Serena is gunning for her All players must undergo Her last triumph at the on a scale none of us has ever eighth title while Novak, who a mandatory 14-day quaran- majors came in Australia in experienced before,” tourna- often seems invincible at Mel- tine on arrival, during which qualifiers will be held in Doha players are out of isolation. cating planning for the Grand 2017 when she was pregnant. ment director Craig Tiley said. bourne Park, is going for a re- they will constantly be tested and Dubai respectively from Two WTA 500 tourna- Slam and how to allow so Women’s number one “Although the AO will cord ninth title. for COVID-19 but allowed to January 10-13, with players ar- ments are also planned to many players and support staff Ashleigh Barty is also set to look a bit different to previous “Our own world No.1 Ash train for five hours a day in a riving in Melbourne from Janu- be held concurrently at Mel- to enter the country safely. return at the Australian Open. years, the safety of everyone is Barty will return to Grand bio-secure bubble. ary 15 on special charter flights. bourne Park on January Australia has largely con- Barty, however, didn’t play at our top priority. We have the Slam competition, as will Rog- “Although the AO will A slimmed-down, 12-team 31-February 7. tained the coronavirus al- all once tournaments started opportunity to stage a very er Federer as he comes back look a bit different to previous ATP Cup, the relocated Ad- Melbourne only emerged though a new outbreak in Syd- again in August after a long- safe, and happy Slam, and give from injury.” years, the safety of everyone is elaide International, and a from a months-long lockdown ney last week has sparked fresh coronavirus related break. the players the experience of The opening Grand Slam our top priority,” said Tiley. ATP 250 tournament will all in October following a second restrictions in parts of the city “We are looking forward competing in front of crowds of the year, which will be The men’s and women’s be played in Melbourne once wave of COVID-19, compli- and even state border closures..