SPORT Monday 21 August 2017 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Stenson seizess Brilliant Dhawan A rrsenal don’t get fair lead at leads India to share of penalties, Wyndham resounding win claims Wenger WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT AL THUMAMA STADIUM Al Thumama a blend of tradition Its design is based on a traditional head covering The design of the stadium is inspired by the woven cap known in Qatar as the gahfiya. This is a part of the traditional out- fit worn by men all around the Arab world, and modernity, says Al Thawadi which has different styles, colours and names, depending on the country and the culture it belongs to. In Qatar, the um nira The Peninsula gahfiya has been, throughout the years, one of the most widespread head coverings in l Thumama Stadium the Qatari community. perfectly encapsu- lates the culture, The name comes from a local tree heritage and for- The stadium’s name comes from the ward-thinking area where it lies, which, in turn, took its nature A of the Middle East, name from al thumama tree that grows according to Hassan Al Thawadi, locally. Today, the Al Thumama area, 6km Secretary-General of the away from the centre of Doha and close to Supreme Committee for Deliv- Hamad International Airport, is considered ery and Legacy (SC). to be the southern gateway to the Qatari Speaking to the www.sc.qa capital. web site as the sixth proposed 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium Qatar’s cooling tech was born here was launched, Al Thawadi said Hassan Al Thawadi, Al Thumama Stadium is being built on symbolism associated with the Secretary-General of the the site where our bid team demonstrated gahfiya-inspired design is our cooling technology to FIFA, cooling a multifaceted. Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) mini-stadium using solar energy. This pro- “It’s a blend of our culture, totype demonstration proved to FIFA that our heritage and our commit- conditions in Qatar are perfect for the world’s ment to the future,” he said local people could be favourite football tournament. The mini-sta- explained. proud of. dium remains on site and is now a research “The gahfiya also has a very “From the very beginning and study centre. old and traditional feel to it. As we always believed that this young children, before we wore World Cup would be a catalyst, It has an all-Qatari design the full headgear, we would just and a supporter, to blossom the Al Thumama Stadium is the first FIFA wear the gahfiya itself. industry,” he continued. “Our An artist’s illustrations of Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, designed by Qatari architect World Cup stadium to be designed solely by “So it has a connection to the vision during our bid was to Qatari nationals. Arab Engineering Bureau, past – especially when you’re always assist in developing local Ibrahim Al Jaidah in the shape of a traditional knitted ‘gahfiya’. The stadium which will host 40,000 fans in the 2022 World Cup, is set to be completed by 2020. the oldest architectural and engineering con- talking about the younger lives of talent and local industry. sulting firm in Qatar are responsible for the the older generation. There’s a “Ibrahim Jaidah is very well striking look of the venue. The team was led very emotional tie to it. known in the State of Qatar. The by Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah. “We’ve always been very Ministry of Interior Qatar build- careful to combine the past with ing is one example of that. That’s the future, even when it comes why we believed he had the tal- to our designs. This is already ent, the passion and the showcased at Al Bayt Stadium commitment for this project. in Al Khor. The gahfiya is a con- “It was essential for us to tinuation of that.” promote and shine the spotlight Work on the stadium began on such talent – and consider- in 2016, and is set to be com- ing his track record and pleted by 2020. The stadium is experience, he was well placed one of the most centrally located for us to be able to work with venues out of the eight being him, and utilise his talent in one constructed for the tournament, of our stadiums.” nestled in the busy residential Although the sixth to be con- Doha suburb of Al Thumama, firmed by the SC, Al Thumama located just 6km south of Doha’s Stadium is the first to be famous Corniche. launched digitally – through a The stadium – which will worldwide social media activa- host 40,000 fans in 2022 – tion. This is something, Al was designed by prominent Thawadi says, that is another Qatari architect Ibrahim Al positive. Jaidah, another element of the “It allows us to reach a larger project the Secretary General audience,” he explained. Record-breaking Barshim wins in ‘lucky’ Birmingham Fawad Hussain Barshim on top “It was a strong compe- The Peninsula tition which really tested me The Qatari superstar set a and that made me perform at fter winning the world new meeting record and my best. I love it here; I had title in London last world lead with a leap of the meeting record here from Aweek, Qatari superstar 2.40m to go 17 points clear 2014 and I also won in Bir- Mutaz Essa Barshim set a new of British opponent Robbie mingham last year so it is a meeting record and world Grabarz with a tally of 40 lucky place for me.” lead with a leap of 2.40m to points from six Diamond “I got so much support win the men’s high jump con- League meetings. from the fans and my fellow test at the IAAF Diamond competitors which really League in Birmingham, helped me to perform to my yesterday. cleared the 2.31m on third best,” the Qatari superstar The sparkling victory con- attempt before returning to added. solidated the Diamond League his brilliance. “I can jump as high as lead for the two-time Qatari After clearing 2.33m and possible. I don’t want to put Olympic medallist as Barshim 2.35m in the first go, the Dia- any limits on myself. 2.40m went 17 points clear of British mond League leader leaped was great today and I didn’t opponent Robbie Grabarz to a flawless 2.40m to better want to push it too much a with a tally of 40 points from his own world lead of 2.38 – risk injury so I was just six meetings. he recorded at Oslo meeting sensible.” Barshim, who won the in June – to win the Syria’s Majed Aldin world title with a jump of competition. Ghazal finished on second Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar competes during the men’s high 2.35m in London, started the “I knew I had that jump in spot with his best jump of the jump event of the 2017 IAAF Diamond League meet at Alexander contest calmly and cleared the me but I needed that pressure day of 2.31 while Tom Gale of Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom yesterday. 2.20m, 2.24m and 2.28m hur- on my shoulders,” Barshim Great Britain finished third dles with ease. He then said after his triumph. after clearing 2.24m. SPORT MONDAY 21 AUGUST 2017 21 Malaysia sorry Stenson seizes lead at Wyndham for Indonesia flag gaffe Los Angeles He has finished in the top 10 US maintain AFP just two times this year, a sec- ond at the WGC-HSBC Kuala Lumpur three-point enrik Stenson, who Championship and a seventh AFP is looking for his place finish at the Valspar Solheim Cup first win since cap- Championship. alaysia’s South- turing the British Former US Open champion east Asian lead Open last year, Simpson is playing some MGames organis- Hfired his second straight 66 to inspired golf in front of his home ers have apologised to seize a one-stroke lead at the fans. The Carolina native col- Indonesia after its flag Los Angeles Wyndham Championship on lected the first of his four USPGA was printed upside- AFP Saturday. Henrik Stenson Tour wins here five years ago. down in a souvenir The former world number of Sweden He hit his 136-yard approach magazine, prompting a ristie Kerr set a US Sol- one Stenson finished strong with hits a shot on on the par-four second hole to scathing response from heim Cup record with four birdies in his final six holes the ninth hole 15 feet then made the birdie putt the team and anger on Cher 19th career point as to reach 16-under 194 at the US during the to get to 14-under on the social media. the Americans split in Satur- PGA Tour event at Sedgefield third round of tournament. Malaysia’s Sports day’s four foursomes matches Country Club in Greensboro, the Wyndham Unlike Stenson, Simpson is Minister Khairy Jamalud- with Europe to maintain a North Carolina. Championship relying on familiarity with the din was also due to three-point lead in the Americans Kevin Na (65), at Sedgefield event. The 2011 tournament win- apologise in person to his match-play showdown. second round co-leader Webb Country Club ner is in good position to make Indonesian counterpart Kerr and Lexi Thompson Simpson (68) and Ollie Schnied- on Saturday in a Sunday charge. after the magazine was beat England’s Jodi Ewart erjans (66) were tied for second Na has been one of the most handed out to dignitar- Greensboro, Shadoff and Germany’s Caro- just one shot back at 15-under steady golfers on the Tour over ies at Saturday’s opening line Masson 5 & 3 in the first 195.