SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 SPORTS Jazeera Airways hails success of RunKuwait 230-Km Run sponsorship KUWAIT: JAZEERA Airways, the first private airline in Kuwait and the Middle East, is proud to have concluded its sponsorship of the first-of-its-kind RunKuwait 230-kilome- ter run, from the northern to the southern borders of the country. The motivational challenge, organized by RunKuwait in collaboration with Jazeera Airways, aimed at encouraging aspiring athletes and determined runners from diverse communities to push their boundaries and reach new heights. The 6-day program started at the Northern borders of Kuwait which served as a battlefield for six runners who previously came out victorious from a group of 120 partici- pants. Hailing from different walks of life, the runners pur- sued and overcame physical and mental challenges each day to reach the finish line at the southern borders of Kuwait. The run hoped to inspire a new wave of go getters to step out of their comfort zones and lead happy, healthy and active lives. “Empowering more people to pursue ambitious goals in a competitive setting was an extremely rewarding experi- ence. Forging ahead by pushing boundaries and overcom- ing challenges holds true to our vision of achieving new frontiers in a challenging world, with boldness and deter- mination,” said Rohit Ramachandran, Chief Executive Officer at Jazeera Airways. Ushering in a new phase of inspired sports enthusiasts, the 230 Km challenge forced members to test their limits with indomitable stamina and admirable mental and physi- cal strength. Day one demonstrated the runners’ resilience as they had to undertake a 40 km distance run challenged by dehydration, sun strokes and muscle cramps. Ramachandran added, “The life lessons learnt from the RunKuwaitis that resilience and determination are key in achieving success. We hope to inspire more people to believe in themselves and pursuit ambitious endeavors for individual and societal benefits.” Jazeera Airways will contin- ue to sponsor similar dynamic platforms in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility to remain a seamless source of inspiration in the community and deliver real change. Sevilla threatens Real’s nail-biting title charge MADRID: Jorge Sampaoli’s chances of landing his dream job at Barcelona may have come and gone, but he could still hand Barca the La Liga title on a plate should Sevilla shock Real Madrid today. Madrid are in the driving seat for their first league title in five years as they also target a first La Liga and Champions League double since 1958. Zinedine Zidane’s men are level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table, but have three games remaining to the Catalans’ two. However, thanks to Barca’s better head-to-head record, any Real defeat will put LEIPZIG: Leipzig’s Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi watches the ball go into the the title race back in their rivals’ hands. The goal as Bayern Munich scores the 1-1 during the German first division Bundesliga specter of Sevilla boss Sampaoli adds an extra football match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich.—AFP edge to an already vital encounter. The Argentine has been fulsome in his praise of Barca’s Lionel Messi and Neymar since moving to Sevilla, which fuelled speculation he could Robben hits winner take over the vacant position at the Camp Nou next season. However, with Barca expected to turn in nine-goal thriller instead to Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde, Sampaoli still looks set to fulfil his BERLIN: Arjen Robben scored a superb Forsberg and Werner netted home the spot ambition of coaching Messi by taking over as solo goal in the 95th-minute to seal Bayern kick. Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen made it Argentina boss at the end of this campaign. And Munich’s dramatic 5-4 comeback win at RB 3-1 to Leipzig just after the break when his what better way to endear himself to Messi than MADRID: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during a Champions League semifinal, 2nd Leipzig in the Bundesliga’s electric top-of- shot wrong-footed Bayern’s third-choice by severely denting Real’s title challenge? leg soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid. — AP the-table clash yesterday. Carlo Ancelotti’s goalkeeper Tom Starke after clipping Madrid, though, are brimming with confidence star-studded Bayern, who were already Alonso’s boot. But Bayern stayed in touch after withstanding an Atletico Madrid onslaught for third. “Mathematically we still have a chance,” stick with the majority of the side that lost 2-1 at confirmed German league champions for as Thiago Alcantara headed home Alonso’s to reach their third Champions League final in said defender Nico Pareja. “We know it is diffi- Atletico in midweek, but still progressed to next the fifth straight year, found themselves 4-3 cross on 60 minutes, before Werner four years on Wednesday. cult, but we have to fight until the end.” Sevilla month’s final 4-2 on aggregate. down on 90 minutes until David Alaba grabbed his second on 65 after turning “La Liga is the title I have left to win, it would haven’t won at the Bernabeu since 2008, but are Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal remain out drilled home a 91st-minute free-kick. Germany defender Jerome Boateng. be a special one for me but I don’t want to have one of just three sides to have beaten them injured, while centre-backs Pepe and Raphael Robben, 33, then proved he still had the When Robben hit the crossbar with a to choose between wining La Liga or the already in the league this season. Varane are doubtful. Barca should at least force legs to sprint clear of the defence as his win- free-kick on 84 minutes, Lewandowski Champions League,” said Madrid defender However, the Andalusians do not appear the the title race to the last day of the season by ning goal capped a superb run. It was heart- reacted fastest to head home the rebound, Nacho. “We have three finals to win in La Liga.” same side now as they were in scoring two late compounding more misery on the end of break for second-placed RB Leipzig, who which set the scene for the dramatic late goals to beat the European champions back in Quique Setien’s time at Las Palmas. Since Setien were minutes from avenging their 3-0 goals. Questions will be asked of Bayern’s MATHEMATICAL CHANCE January. Sampaoli’s men have only won three of announced he was leaving at the end of the defeat at Bayern’s Allianz Arena last defense, which shipped four goals for the Sevilla look set to finish fourth but need one their last 12 matches and haven’t won on the season in March, the Canary Islanders’ form has December. Bayern’s last-gasp victory leaves first time since losing 4-1 at Wolfsburg in more point to guarantee a return to the road since February. Zidane has big decisions to slumped with just one win in eight games. At them 13 points clear in the table and cap- January 2015. With Bayern and Leipzig Champions League and to win their last two make over whether to heavily rotate his side as the other end of the table, Sporting Gijon will tain Philipp Lahm will lift the Bundesliga tro- already assured direct Champions League matches to have any chance of ousting Atletico he has done to great effect in recent weeks or be relegated if they fail to win at Eibar.— AFP phy after next Saturday’s home match places, the battle rages on for the third against Freiburg. Leipzig’s Timo Werner net- automatic place after third-placed ted twice and with 21 league goals he is the Dortmund drew 1-1 at Augsburg. Bundesliga’s best German striker and a It means they are level on 61 points with shoe-in when Germany’s squad for next fourth-placed Hoffenheim, who romped to Swansea sinks Sunderland month’s Confederations Cup is announced a 5-3 victory at Werder Bremen with ex- on Wednesday. In the race to be the league’s Leicester City striker Andrej Kramaric scor- top-scorer, Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski ing twice. Hertha Berlin and sixth-placed to boost their survival bid also scored twice to leave him on 30 goals, Freiburg, who drew 1-1 at Ingolstadt, are in one more than nearest rival, Dortmund’s pole position to qualify for the Europa Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with a game League next season. for free at the end of the season because of a rele- into the top corner for his first ever Swansea goal. left. The first goal came after just 65 seconds Hertha are fifth after 19-year-old gation clause in his contract and the England strik- Sunderland appealed in vain for a second half when Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer headed defender Jordan Torunarigha scored his Sunderland 0 er came close to a farewell goal when his shot was penalty after Seb Larsson’s free-kick struck home, then Werner hit the post on 12 min- first goal for the club after Salomon Kalou pushed over by Lukasz Fabianski. But Swansea Sigurdsson’s arm and Billy Jones shot wide of an utes. Bayern drew level when a Lahm cross opened the scoring for the visitors with had suffered only one defeat at Sunderland in the open goal moments later as Swansea held firm. clipped the arm of defender Bernardo and Darmstadt’s relegation already confirmed. last 53 years and that impressive record looked Swansea were bottom of the table in January Lewandowski drilled home the penalty on Ingolstadt, 17th in the table, had their rele- Swansea 2 certain to be extended after Naughton doubled when they made Clement their third manager 16 minutes.