CRICKET | Page 4 NBA | Page 5 Pakistan Wizards To Advertise here cruise to run past Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 victory Lebron-less over UAE Cavs Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Jumada I 21, 1437 AH FOOTBALL Barcelona equal GULF TIMES unbeaten record with Sevilla win SPORT Page 3 SPOTLIGHT Olympics-bound Qatar riders gear up for Chi Al Shaqab Qatar has a strong squad built around four key riders who were the mainstay of the team last year By Sports Reporter Qatar has a strong squad built around four Chi Al Shaqab is especially signifi cant compete for prizes totalling €1.2 million (QR 5 Shaqab and its state-of-the art facilities . Doha key riders who were the mainstay of the team for Sheikh Ali al-Thani. The 5 star million). Along with the competitions, mem- His Highness the Father last year, achieving a number of impressive show jumping rider said: “Chi Al bers of the public can look forward to a host of Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa results at championship level. Sheikh Ali bin Shaqab is the most anticipated annual entertaining activities planned throughout the al-Thani founded Al Shaqab in 1992 to preserve hi Al Shaqab International Equestrian Khalid al-Thani, Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi, Khalid equestrian event in the country. It’s a duration of the four-day event. and further develop the Arabian horse in Qatar. Competition 2016, which kicks off to- al-Emadi and Bassem Hassan Mohammed, all phenomenal opportunity to be able Meanwhile, Al Shaqab will be hosting an Al Shaqab is led by HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Ha- morrow at the magnifi cent Al Shaqab of whom will be competing at Chi Al Shaqab, to compete in this year’s event” Open Day on Thursday, 10 March 2016 at the mad al-Thani and encompasses an Endurance arena, is a unique occasion for the Qa- sealed the Olympic spot in the team event. Breeding and Show Department of Al Shaqab Team, a Breeding & Show division, and a Riding Ctar’s Olympic show jumping team to experience The Qatar’s formidable four earned a place pated annual equestrian event in the country. starting from 5:30 p.m. Academy. a highly technical competition. It also gives at the Rio Olympic Games with victory at the It’s a phenomenal opportunity to be able to Every year, Al Shaqab organises an Annual In 2004, Al Shaqab proudly became a mem- them the opportunity to hone their skills in the second-leg of the Furusiyya 2015 series in Abu compete in this year’s event.” Open Day to enable Arabian horse enthusi- ber of Qatar Foundation. Al Shaqab’s mission various upcoming tournaments. Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in February last The fourth edition of the prestigious eques- asts to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of is to be global leaders in preserving, improving Chi Al Shaqab should help them gain more year. trian competition, sponsored by ExxonMobil, the Arabian horses kept in its stables. Fans and promoting the Arabian horse breed through confi dence in the run up to the Olympic Games Chi Al Shaqab is especially signifi cant for will see top-ranking local, regional and inter- from all over the world attends this open day setting the highest standard in breeding, show, that will be held in August this year in Rio de Sheikh Ali al-Thani. The 5 star show jumping national riders compete in show Jumping CSI 5* which provides a unique opportunity to the equestrian arts and equine welfare while en- Janeiro. rider said: “Chi Al Shaqab is the most antici- and CSI 4*, Dressage CDI 5* and Para-Dressage public to have a behind the scenes look at Al couraging community participation. SPOTLIGHT Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani will be in action at the Chi Al Shaqab. FOCUS Chi Al Shaqab to host opening event of Doha Tour By Sports Reporter Doha hi Al Shaqab 2016 will play host to the opening event of the Doha Tour. The fi rst part of this prestigious competi- Ction will be at CSI3* level and will run concurrently with the other interna- tional competitions taking place in the spectacular arena here at Al Shaqab. Doha Tour is the fi rst of its kind in the Arab World. For the fi rst time, this year’s programme will involve three legs of the competition being staged at three diff erent venues. It is a com- petition open to riders from all over the world but is expected to attract a number of Qatari and Saudi competi- tors of diff erent skill levels. For Arab riders, it is part of the Arab League rankings for the 2016 World Cup Final to be held in Gothenburg, Champion horses have arrived from around the world to compete in the Chi Al Sweden at the end of March. The Doha Shaqab 2016, which will be held from tommorow. Tour features CSI3 *and CSI 4* com- petitions for elite riders but there is awarded to the overall winning rider port equestrian sport and the nation’s also a CSI2* competition for young who has won the most points over the equestrian athletes as well as encour- and up-coming riders to score points three events. aging new talents. Towards this end, and gain experience. Qatar is widely considered as an they have been delivering world class The Qatar Equestrian Federation emerging nation in the equestrian events and with Qatar qualifying for will host the second leg from 10th-12th world, particularly in the sport of the Olympic Games due to take place March which will off er a CSI2* and a show jumping. The Qatar Equestrian in Rio de Janeiro in August this year, CSI4* competition. The third and fi - Federation (QEF) was established in the number of such competitions held nal event takes place at Katara where, 1979 and recognized by the Interna- in Doha has increased. again, there will be a CSI2* and a CSI4* tional Equestrian Federation as the This is so that national riders can competition from 24-26th March. nation’s offi cial governing body. The gain maximum exposure to competi- The championship trophy will be QEF’s objective is to promote and sup- tions in the build-up to Rio 2016. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 FOOTBALL AC Milan striker Niang Hiddink urges FA doctors Former Bayern president UEFA to name temporary Former Germany and involved in car accident to challenge packed fixture Hoeness released from jail successor for Infantino Cologne player Loehr dies AC Milan striker M’baye Niang was involved in a Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has urged Bayern Munich’s former president Uli Hoeness UEFA will name a new temporary general secre- Former Germany international and Cologne’s car accident on Saturday night, but claimed it was doctors at the Football Association (FA) and was released yesterday after serving half of his tary on Friday to take over from former European all-time record goalscorer Hannes Loehr has died a minor incident in which he had been merely Premier League clubs to stand up against English prison sentence for tax evasion. His sentence was football number two Gianni Infantino, the new aged 73, the Bundesliga club said yesterday. Lohr a passenger. Earlier that evening he had helped football’s gruelling fixture list. Chelsea have to halved from three-and-a-half years under a provi- FIFA president, a source said yesterday. Greece’s scored 166 Bundesliga goals for Cologne and Milan beat Torino 1-0 at home in lashing and play four games in 12 days across three competi- sion allowing for reduction of prison terms, the Theodore Theodoridis would appear to be was part of the club’s successful sides which won relentless rain. “I and my driver are both in good tions after the club’s sixth-round FA Cup tie with Bavarian state ministry for justice said, without favourite for the job Infantino quit to take up his the championship in 1978 and the German Cup health. The car was aquaplaning, there was more Everton was scheduled for March 12. The Premier providing details of the release. Hoeness, new role with FIFA. UEFA’s executive committee three times. He earned 20 international caps and fear than harm. Ready for the rest of the season League champions visit Norwich City today and now 64, was convicted by a Munich court in will meet on Friday morning in Nyon to decide on played for Germany in the 1970 World Cup, finish- with Milan, Forza Milan,” the Frenchman, who host Stoke City on Saturday, before their Champi- March 2014 of evading taxes estimated at 28.5 the matter. The role is an important one as UEFA ing third. After retiring as a player, he managed does not have a driving licence, twitted yesterday. ons League last 16 second-leg tie at home to Paris million euros ($31 million at current exchange president Michel Platini is banned from all football Cologne and coached the West Germany team to Sky Sport had reported earlier he would be out Saint Germain the following Wednesday and the rates). He began his prison sentence three activities for six years, although he is engaged in the bronze medal at the 1988 Olympic Games. A for two months with ankle and shoulder injuries, FA Cup tie three days later. “Hopefully the PSG months later, but has been on day release from legal proceedings to have that ban overturned. cause of death was not given but Loehr suff ered and that he had taken a breathalyser test, which game doesn’t go into extra-time because players prison since early last year and was employed To this end, Platini is appealing to the Court of a stroke in early 2015.