FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Qatar, with proven experience of hosting mega sports events, can deliver an amazing Asian Games, the Doha 2030 CEO Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said yesterday as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation C o m m i t t e e concluded its tour.

The OCA Evalu-ation Committee, led by Andrey Kryukov, visited a number of venues during their three-day visit to Doha including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022’s Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, the Lusail Arena in brand new city of Lusail and the Aspire Academy besides expe-riencing a ride on the city’s Metro network.

While Kryukov said OCA Evaluation Committee was ‘sat-isfied’ after their hectic tour of Doha - which also played host to the memorable 2006 Asian Games - Al Buenain asserted ‘Doha 2030 is a gateway to a bright future for the sports industry in Asia.’

“Doha 2030 is a national priority and has the full support of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It is about Qatar National Vision 2030,” Al Buenain, also the Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, said at a press con-ference yesterday that wrapped

up OCA Evaluation Committee’s visit to the Qatari capital.

Kryukov, OCA’s Vinod Kumar Tiwari and Doha 2030 Director of Marketing and Com-munication Sheikha Asma Al Thani also attended the press conference.

“I would like to thank the OCA Evaluation Committee for their time, effort and invaluable feedback they have provided. Obviously we have enjoyed very productive and collabo-rative three days,” said Al Buenain. “I am sure they have been able to see what the bid means to our people, our city and to our country.

“Our bid is more than just a Qatari priority. It is to show how the Doha 2030 could shape the immediate and long-term pri-orities for Qatar and the other Asian NOCs,” Al Buenain said.

Al Buenain added: “Actually, the 2030 bid is a gateway to

certainty of excellence. We have the people, we have the expertise, we have the experi-ences and most importantly we have the passion. When it comes to the venues, the venues are already there. The venues have been tested by the Asian and international federations for many years.”

“Athletes will get top con-ditions to train and to compete. Doha 2030 is already a gateway to a legacy now, not in 10 years. That means, if we are honoured the hosting of the Asian Games, the programme will start in 2021 and we will call it 21 Project Legacy. Altogether, it means that Doha 2030 is a gateway to a bright future for the sports industry in Asia,” said Al Buenain.

The Doha 2030 CEO, who has overseen various major events in recent years, said Qatar is in the best position to

deliver a highly-suc-cessful Asian Games.

“With no infra-structure investment required and no new venues needed to be built, we can focus on serving the Asian NOCs and host amazing Games. Qatar has the first rank in the MENA region in the Global Peace Index and Qatar has diversity of population with more than 90 nations living here peacefully with different culture and faith,” he said before adding that Doha

2030 will give a further boost to country’s development.

“We succeeded in trans-ferring the legacy from 2006 to different sectors in Qatar. Through Asian Games 2030, we are working to even have the legacy for Qatar and Asia. We believe in the power of sport, and we believe that sports play an important role in boosting the country’s development,” said Buenain.

Meanwhile, Sheikha Asma said yesterday: “Doha has a very strong bid for delivery of the Games. We will offer all our expertise to make sure very good hospitality at the Games. We hope that we can win the bid and host the Asian Games again.”

The OCA is scheduled to pick the host city for the 2030 Asian Games at its General Assembly in Muscat on December 16.

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

The Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Committee yesterday concluded its presentation to the OCA Evaluation Committee with a commitment to providing a Gateway to immediate legacy benefits for the Asian National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

Doha 2030 explained that with all required permanent venues planned or in place, it has an unprecedented oppor-tunity to redirect the time and investment most cities spend on building infrastructure, towards supporting Asian sports’ recovery from the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Harnessing the positive long-term impact of hosting the Asian Games in 2006, Doha 2030 has developed a detailed plan for a legitimate and sus-tainable legacy programme – Project Legacy 21 – that will assist Asia’s NOCs from next year, 2021, through to the Games in 2030 and beyond. The specifics of the programme have been deliberately kept confidential while the Bid Com-mittee has finalised the details over the last couple of months. An announcement is expected within the coming weeks.

Doha 2030 President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said: “Legacy has been firmly embedded in our bid as an absolute priority from the very beginning. From the onset, we have looked at how the ben-efits we have enjoyed from Doha 2006 can be translated, through Doha 2030, into long-term benefits for Asia.

“Our legacy plans are fully aligned with our nation’s social, economic and development goals. We are proposing a legacy built on reliability and certainty that only Qatar can legitimately offer, and that is more vital than ever in these times of global uncertainty. Sport is part of our Qatar’s national identity and we believe strongly in the powerful role it can play in driving social change and fostering peace and understanding. If we are awarded the honour of hosting the Asian Games we would ensure a legacy that is felt beyond Qatar. Doha 2030 will be a Gateway to a brighter future for Asian sport.”

Doha 2030 also reinforced how its infrastructure and major event delivery knowledge means it can provide the cer-tainty that is fundamental to its ability to promise an enduring Asian legacy. This certainty was reflected in Doha 2030’s finance presentation which showcased a Games budget without financial risk due to the lack of capital investment required and the strength of Qatar’s economy.

Doha 2030 CEO Jassim Rashid Al Buenain added: “On behalf of Doha 2030, I would like to thank the Evaluation Committee for their time with us. Our bid is a national priority; it has the full support of His Highness the Amir and the State of Qatar. As this visit has shown, our bid brings together all levels of sport and society in Qatar and I would like to thank all our partners for their ongoing support.

“But our bid is about more than just Qatar’s priorities. It is about how Doha 2030 can serve the priorities of the Asian NOCs. Thanks to the gift of the 2006 Asian Games, Doha is uniquely positioned to give back to the OCA family. We are ready to doing that by deliv-ering a Gateway to certainty, a Gateway to a magical Games experience. And a Gateway to legacy now.”

In addition, Doha 2030 pre-sented on themes including marketing, Games Programme, ceremonies and media and broadcast before the Evaluation Committee was taken on a tour of international broadcaster beIN.

Yousef Al Obaidly, CEO of beIN MEDIA GROUP said: “We were delighted to welcome the distinguished delegation from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) today in support of Doha’s world-class Asian Games 2030 bid. We showcased the world-leading broadcasting facilities, technology, talent and reach that beIN has across the entire 24-country MENA region – which is second to none. And we celebrated beIN’s long-standing and proud partnership with the Asian Games – which has already spanned from 2005 to 2026, and we hope for many years beyond. As Asian sport continues to lead by example and inspire the next generation on the world stage, there can be no greater partner than Doha – supported by all the sports insti-tutions of Qatar – on this amazing journey.”

The Committee visit con-cluded with a press conference for Qatari and international media that was streamed live. Evaluation Committee Chairman Kryukov and Com-mittee member Vinod Kumar Tiwari attended on behalf of the OCA.

Our bid is a national

priority; it has the full

support of His Highness

the Amir and the State

of Qatar. As this visit has

shown, our bid brings

together all levels of

sport and society in

Qatar and I would like to

thank all our partners

for their ongoing

support. But our bid is

about more than just

Qatar’s priorities. It is

about how Doha 2030

can serve the priorities

of the Asian NOCs.

Doha 2030 CEO

Jassim Rashid Al Buenain

SportSATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2020

Verstappen on top in Turkish F1 practiceIt was a bit of a disaster today, to be honest. This track is such a fantastic circuit and I really don't fully understand when they spend millions to re-do a surface... they could have just cleaned it maybe instead of waste all the money.

Sport | 15Lewis Hamilton slams the slippery surface

VIatc

LLLLLL

QATAR SENIOR VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE: Police bt Al Ahli 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 27-25), Qatar SC bt Al Khor 3-1 (17-25, 28-26, 25-15, 25-19)

Chairman of the Olympic Council of Asia Evaluation Committee, Andrey Kryukov (left) and CEO of Doha 2030 Bidding Committee, during a press conference held in Doha, yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA

Doha 2030 to provide Gatewayto legacy for entire OCA family

A scaled model of the proposed Doha 2030 Athletes Village which is

expected to accommodate visiting athletes and officials during the

Asian Games. The Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Committee yesterday concluded its presentation to the OCA Evaluation Committee with a

commitment to providing a Gateway to immediate legacy

benefits for the Asian National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/ THE PENINSULA

Doha 2030 vows amazing Asian Games as OCA Evaluation Team concludes tour

The Olympic Council of Asia Evaluation Committee members and officials taking a ride in Doha Metro.

15SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2020Sport

I’m playing well. But it’s

not like I was sticking it

really close or anything.

I’d love to continue the

momentum. I’ve got a lot

of golf left. It’s a long day.

I need to stay as patient

as I possibly can: Justin

Thomas

Messi-led Argentina held byParaguayAFP – BUENOS AIRES

Argentina had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Paraguay in a World Cup qual-ifier at La Bombonera on Thursday, and Lionel Messi had what might have been a winning goal disallowed in the second half.

A Nicolas Gonzalez goal brought Argentina back level after Angel Romero’s penalty put Paraguay in front at the home of Boca Juniors, where fans were absent because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The result ends Argentina’s perfect start in their bid to qualify for the 2022 finals in Qatar.

They thought they had gone in front in the 58th minute when Giovani Lo Celso pulled the ball back for captain Messi to sidefoot low into the net, but the goal was eventually disal-lowed by the Brazilian officials for a foul by Gonzalez at the beginning of the move.

The home side lost mid-fielder Exequiel Palacios to injury, but his replacement Lo Celso delivered the corner for VfB Stuttgart forward Gonzalez to head in the equaliser four minutes before half-time.

Thursday’s other game in South American qualifying saw Ecuador claim a second win in three outings in the round-robin tournament as Carlos Gruezo’s late penalty gave them a 3-2 victory over Bolivia in La Paz.

Nijinski Al Maury shines in Belgium

Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah's, Nijinski Al Maury (FR) (Amer x Nemosie Al Maury), ridden by Jérôme Cabre, on his way to win the IFAHR Cup in Mons, Belgium. The four-year-old colt, trained by Thomas Fourcy, is a nephew of No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy), who himself was a winner of seven Gr1 PA events and third in the Dubai Kahyala Classic (Gr1 PA). PIC: LAMYA LECLERCQ

Masters: Thomas, McIlroy, No.1 Johnson resume title chaseAFP – AUGUSTA

Third-ranked Justin Thomas was set to challenge Amen Corner while top-ranked Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy sought a spark as the opening round of the 84th Masters resumed yesterday.

Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, was 5-under through 10 holes when darkness halted the storm-hit first round at Augusta National with 44 golfers yet to finish 18 holes.

England’s Paul Casey owned the lead after a seven-under 65, matching his lowest-ever major round, with Amer-icans Webb Simpson and Xander Schauffele in the club-house on 67 level with 27-year-old compatriot Thomas.

Never firing better than 73 in four prior Masters opening rounds, Thomas has improved his finish each year at Augusta National, reaching 12th last year, and looked set to charge again on a rain-softened layout.

Thomas opened with three birdies, added another at the fifth and answered a bogey at the seventh with birdies at the par-5 eighth and 10th to set a date with Amen Corner -- the famed three-hole stretch starting at the 11th -- just after dawn.

“I’m playing well. But it’s not like I was sticking it really close or anything,” Thomas said. “I’d love to continue the momentum.

“I’ve got a lot of golf left. It’s a long day. I need to stay as

patient as I possibly can.” Johnson and McIlroy, paired together, were looking for improved as they began the back nine, with PGA Player of the Year and Tour Champi-onship winner Johnson on 3-under after nine thanks to an eagle at the par-5 second and birdie at the par-5 eighth.

“It was pretty good,” Johnson said. “I hit some really nice shots, had some good looks. I’m pretty pleased how it went so far.” Johnson could become the first world number one to win the Masters since Tiger Woods in 2002.

McIlroy, on level par after his front nine after an opening bogey and a birdie at the eighth, would complete a career Grand Slam by winning

the Masters, joining Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.

Defending champion Woods was in a pack sitting another stroke back after an opening 68, the 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion matching his

best-ever start at Augusta National.

It was his first bogey-free round at Augusta National since 2008 and in any major since 2009.

Woods, who turns 45 next month, could match the record six green jackets won by Jack Nicklaus and break the US PGA title record of 82 he shares with Sam Snead.

Australia’s Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, was on 4-under through 10 with South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli 4-under after nine and American Matthew Wolff -- the US Open runner-up after placing fourth at the PGA Championship in his major debut -- at 4-under through 11 holes.

Verstappen on top in Turkish F1 practiceAP – ISTANBUL

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen posted the fastest time yesterday in the second practice for the Turkish Grand Prix as speeds improved following a slow first session on a slippery track.

Verstappen was .4 seconds quicker than Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and .58 ahead of Valtteri Bottas. Mercedes driver Lewis Ham-ilton was .85 back in fourth place on a resurfaced circuit low on grip and which last hosted a formula One race in 2011.

Hamilton is looking to secure his seventh F1 title and equal Michael Schumacher’s record. He is the runaway championship leader and only needs to finish ahead of Bottas on Sunday to win the title.

Verstappen's best lap was 1 minute, 28.33 seconds, considerably better than his fastest time of 1:35.077 in the first session.

Driving under a cloudy sky and cool temperatures in the first session, Verstappen finished ahead of team-mate Alexander Albon and Leclerc, who skidded into a bollard at the pit lane entrance early on.

Hamilton took no risks and ended that practice run down in 15th place, while Bottas briefly lost control moments from the end but finished it without any trouble in ninth.

Police players try to block a shot hit by an Al Ahli player during their Senior Men's League match at QVA Hall yesterday. Police beat Al Ahli 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 27-25) in the day's first match before Qatar SC defeated Al Khor 3-1 with a 17-25, 28-26, 25-15, 25-19 scoreline.

Dustin Johnson of the US, compatriot Patrick Cantlay and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy on the 12th green during the second round of The Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, yesterday.

Senior League: Police, Qatar SC claim wins

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during yesterday's practice.

Miller fastest in Valencia practice as Mir crashesAFP – MADRID

Australian Jack Miller delivered the best time in practice yesterday ahead of the Valencia MotoGP as Joan Mir crashed to fall outside the top 10, with the Spaniard’s first world title in sight this weekend.

Mir suffered a late blip at the Ricardo Tormo circuit when he came off at Turn 4 with 11 minutes to go, an error that saw him drop to 11th in the standings.

But after clinching his maiden premier category victory on the same track in the European Grand Prix last weekend, Mir will become world champion on Sunday if he finishes on the podium.

The Suzuki rider’s main chal-lengers are Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo, but of the top three only Rins holds a provisional Q2 spot after he came eighth in the afternoon practice session, ahead of his Spanish compatriots Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales.

France’s Quartararo came 16th, despite being only 0.704sec behind in an incredibly tight leaderboard.

Miller’s time of 1min 30.622sec was enough for the Pramac Ducati rider to claim the fastest lap of the day.

Qatari archer Ibrahim Al Muhannadi clinched the gold medal in the Olympic competition while Ali Al Yazidi won the 30-metre doubles competition on the first day of the Amiri Cup 2020 Shooting and Archery Championships at the Lusail Shooting Range, yesterday. Al Yazidi won the silver in the Olympic competition ahead of Ahmed Al Abdi. Abdulaziz Al Abadi was placed second behind Al Yazidi in the 30m event while Al Mohannadi won the third place. In the Olympic Youth Competition, Muhammad bin Khalid Al Thani won the first place ahead of Muhammad Mualla Al Mostafwi. Mohamed Ahmed Taher, Executive Director of the Championship, presented the trophies to winners.

Al Mohannadi, Al Yazidi clinch gold at Lusail

The podium winners of the 30-metre doubles competition

Qatar, Costa Rica draw 1-1 in Vienna friendlyQatari defender Abdelkarim Hassan (left) and Costa Rica’s Kristian Gamboa vie for the ball during their international friendly match played at the Bundesstadion Suedstadt in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, yesterday. Captain Hassan Al Haydos scored for Qatar in the 42nd minute through a penalty as Joel Campbell scored the equeliser in the 67th minute. RIGHT: Qatar's Akram Afif trying to shoot past Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas.