TENNIS | Page 4 NNBABA | Page 5 Sharapova Houston beats Vinci on Rockets oust return from Thunder, Jazz, doping ban Spurs close in Thursday, April 27, 2017 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 1, 1438 AH Misfi ring Man GULF TIMES City face rivals United in EPL SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT EMIR CUP FOOTBALL Qatar’s top female Al Gharafa aim to draw athlete wants to strength from build a legacy their history Mariam Farid: We have to show the younger generation that Arab women in Qatar and across the GCC can do sports and that there are girls from Qatar playing athletics and competing in the Diamond League Al Gharafa coach Habib Sadeq speaks to the media yesterday. At bottom, Al Sailiya coach Sami Trablesi. By Sports Reporter Doha l Gharafa aim to go all the way in the Emir Cup in the hope of erasing their disappointment of fi nishing outside the top Afour in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) earlier in the season. The Cheetahs fi nished their league By Sports Reporter Mariam’s immediate focus is on the going to training every day. I think without their engagements in fi fth place thereby Doha upcoming Doha Diamond League on May support, I wouldn’t be in the national team. My fa- missing out on the four-team Qatar 5 where she will be competing in the 100m ther always says to me, ‘one day you are going to be a Cup and also a direct spot in the quar- and 4x100m relay. The young sprinter and World Champion’ and he motivates me to train and ter-fi nals of the ongoing Emir Cup. ineteen-year-old Mariam Farid is one multiple national record-holder cannot wait to work hard.” But they should face no problems of Qatar’s most promising young female to compete in front of a home crowd amongst An ultimate dream of Mariam’s is to compete in when they clash with Mesaimeer in the athletes with high ambitions of achieving the sport’s global superstars her sport’s biggest event in front of a home crowd third round of Qatar’s most lucrative Nsuccess on the world stage. The full-time when the Doha hosts the World Championships in tournament today. A victory for them they are not short of motivation. They university student and member of Qatar’s national athletics and competing in the Diamond League. Athletics in 2019: “I’m waiting for this day to com- means they will get to challenge the big know Al Gharafa have won the Emir athletics team wants to be an inspiration to young We do train every day, and we work hard to achieve pete in 2019 here in Qatar because it is something I four and potentially deliver them their Cup several times in the past and are females from Qatar and across the region, and to our goals.” worked hard for”. eighth title. keen to give it their best shot,” he add- challenge perceptions of Qatari women’s participa- Mariam’s most recent success came at the GCC Mariam is now a student at Northwestern Univer- Nobody can doubt the Cheetahs’ ed. tion in sports. Women’s Games in Doha, where she claimed silver sity in Doha where she is studying Communications have pedigree. Their seven Emir Cup Meanwhile, Al Sailiya who ended Mariam’s immediate focus is on the upcom- and bronze medals. She feels that the all-female whilst juggling two hours of athletics training every crowns and numerous other domes- their league engagements in eighth ing Doha Diamond League on May 5 where she will event is very important for the region because “it day, except Fridays. tic titles are testimony to the fact that spot, take on Al Khor in the second be competing in the 100m and 4x100m relay. The shows how girls are improving and how their coun- She feels that this is possible thanks to the sup- their legacy in the history of Qatar Emir Cup third round match today. young sprinter and multiple national record-holder tries are empowering them to come and play sport port from both her university and the Qatar Olym- football is secure. Al Sailiya coach Sami Trablesi was cannot wait to compete in front of a home crowd internationally”. pic Committee. “Whenever I have an important But their last Emir Cup success came confi dent ahead of the match saying amongst the sport’s global superstars and believes Whilst not her best result in terms of podium fi n- competition, my university always supports me, in 2012 after which they have gone off his team would do all they could to se- that this will provide an added boost to her per- ishes, Mariam accounts her fourth place fi nish at and whenever I have exams I have the support of the the boil, something they would like to cure qualifi cation to the quarter-fi nals. formance. the 2014 West Asian Championships when she was Olympic Committee”. change this season. “The Emir Cup gives slightly lesser “Participating in front of this huge crowd, in front just 16 as her favourite achievement because “it was Despite the huge pressures that come with such “We have not been winning titles of teams the chance to show their mettle of my people and everyone I know, and in my home a very good result for my age that year and it moti- a gruelling schedule, it has become a “lifestyle” for late but nobody can say we have not against the established sides,” said the country motivates me to run faster and show the vated me to train harder, work harder and do better.” Mariam and she feels that “nothing is hard when you been competitive,” coach Habib Sadeq Tunisian. “Knockout tournaments are best that I can do. It is something I have to be very A highly ambitious athlete, this motivation enjoy doing something”. It is this passion for athlet- said yesterday. like a lottery. Anything can happen on proud of,” she said yesterday. spurred Mariam to dream of one day becoming the ics and her ambitions that drive her daily determi- “We gave everybody a tough fi ght a particular day,” he added. However, for Mariam it is more than just her per- best in the world. “My biggest ambition is to be a nation and commitment. in the Qatar Stars League and with a sonal performance that is important at the Diamond world champion and an Olympic Champion. It is a “What makes me wake up every day and go bit of luck could have fi nished in the Emir Cup third rd. fixtures: League – she also feels that hosting the event in matter of training hard and believing in yourself”. to training is that I have a goal - I want to achieve top four,” he added. Sadeq replaced Today Doha provides an important opportunity to shine a This ambition is supported wholeheartedly by her something and I want to build a legacy. I want to Perdo Caixinha after the Portuguese Al Gharafa vs Messaimeer spotlight on women’s sport in Qatar. family, a factor she sees as crucial to her success and change and improve women’s sport and I want to coach left Al Gharafa for Scottish gi- Al Sailiya vs Al Khor “We have to show the younger generation that something that helps to encourage her to achieve her make Qatar proud. I love athletics because it teaches ants Glasgow Rangers towards the fi nal Tomorrow Arab women in Qatar and across the GCC can do dreams. you to be independent, it improves your self-confi - stages of the Qatar Stars League. Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Ahli sports and that there are girls from Qatar playing “My family is very supportive in athletics and me dence, and it makes you responsible as a person.” “The players are gelling very well, Umm Salal vs Al Shahaniya Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 27, 2017 FOOTBALL EPL PREVIEW 10PM Qatar time IN SHORT Sunderland manager Moyes charged over female reporter ‘slap’ comment Sunderland manager David be found guilty, he is likely to Moyes has been charged after be fined and could be asked to suggesting to a female re- attend an education course. Misfi ring Man City porter she might “get a slap”, Moyes made his remark at the England’s Football Association end of a post-match interview, announced yesterday. but the camera was still rolling Moyes, 54, made the remark, and footage was published for which he has apologised, weeks later by a British news- to BBC reporter Vicki Sparks paper. Having taken exception following Sunderland’s 0-0 to one of Sparks’s questions, draw with Burnley in the Pre- Moyes said: “You were just face rivals United mier League on March 18. getting a wee bit naughty at “David Moyes has been charged the end there, so just watch ‘It is going to be the game of the season. We are one point behind them. If we win we in relation to comments made yourself. You still might get after the game against Burnley a slap, even though you’re a have the chance to finish in the top four. If they win, it is going to be very diff icult’ on 18 March 2017,” the FA said woman. Careful the next time in a statement. “It is alleged you come in.” the Sunderland manager’s Moyes later apologised in a remarks were improper and/ phone call to Sparks, who did or threatening and/or brought not make a complaint.