SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016
C3
SPORTS Ambusaidi makes it to ASAF Youth Cup jury
FOOTBALL
Ali Al Habsi emerges Reading player of the month award winner
Oman Sail’s first ever recruits Ali bin
I am thankful to Oman Sail and everyone who helped me hone my skills and will continue to work hard to excel in this field and be an ambassador for my country
Hamed Ambusaidi becomes the first Omani to be honoured with such an appointment, which has been earned after a spell of serving on several juries at international events
Ali Ambusaidi
in Oman
MUSCAT: One of Oman Sail’s first ever recruits Ali bin Hamed Ambusaidi has been given international recognition for his work as a race official by being appointed to the jury of the Asian Sailing Federation Youth Cup finals in Abu Dhabi next month. He becomes the first Omani to be honoured with such an appointment, which has been earned after a spell of serving on several juries at international events in Oman. Through this experience, Ambusaidi has acquired valuable knowledge on the racing rules of sailing and positioning on the race course and has the potential to be a top class international judge, according
to Takao Otani, a member of World Sailing Events Committee with responsibility for ASAF judges. “I have worked with him on several events and he is very dedicated. We are pushing for him to become an international judge, but it will take a long time and he will have to study hard. The important thing is we see potential. “He has a very clear idea of fair play which is what sets him apart from others, even though he has not done much racing. It is a difficult job because you make decisions which cause some people to love you and some people to be upset so you need to have a deep understanding of the rules on the race track and you have to be
strong and Ali has shown a real aptitude for the role.” Oman Sail has developed a raft of quality sailors since it was set up in 2008 as well as a team of support professionals across all disciplines. These include race officials who are being trained and being given experience in events around the Sultanate to prepare them to officiate at top class events around the world. Creating and growing local judges is one of the toughest objectives since it demands years of studying complicated rules and regulations and applying them in pressured situations on the race course. There have been several Omani judges taking part in the international events organised by
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Oman Sail in the last years but this is the first time an Omani judge has been appointed by the Asian Sailing Federation to officiate in an international event outside Oman. “I am delighted that the Asian Sailing Federation has chosen me for this exciting opportunity,” said Ali Ambusaidi. “Through Oman Sail, I have had the chance to work on some of the biggest races in the sport of sailing and I’ve had excellent mentors. I am thankful to Oman Sail and everyone who helped me hone my skills and will continue to work hard to excel in this field and be an ambassador for my country.” The ASAF Youth Cup finals will be organised in Abu Dhabi from April 5 to 9.
MUSCAT: Oman’s goalkeeping great Ali Al Habsi has been voted as the best Reading FC’s player of the month for March. According to information posted on SB Nation website, the Oman national team captain becomes just the fourth player to win the award this season. Ai Al Habsi has taken 57 percent of votes to emerge the club’s March Player Of The Month. According to the website, it was a close fought battle for sec-
ond, with Ola John just edging out Michael Hector, the pair receiving 23 percent and 21 percent of your votes respectively. Reading’s players of the month in 2015-16 season: August: Nick Blackman (44 percent); September: Nick Blackman (74); October: Nick Blackman (81); November: Oliver Norwood (59); December: Oliver Norwood (58); January: Hal Robson-Kanu (45); February: Hal Robson-Kanu (58) and March: Ali Al Habsi (57).
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Going to be full house at Eden Powertech, L&T record wins for WT20 final, says Ganguly KOLKATA: Even though hosts and favourites India were knocked out after the semifinals of the World Twenty20, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President and former India skipper Saurav Ganguly on Saturday said Eden Gardens will be packed to its capacity during the final. On Sunday, West Indies and England will battle it out for the champions’ crown here. “Not a ticket left. The stadium will be packed to capacity,” Ganguly told reporters here on the eve of the high voltage clash. When asked to pick a side, Ganguly quipped: “I don’t believe in favourites but West Indies look a very strong team.” Ganguly also said he is now used to the challenge of hosting big matches as an administrator. “We have staged the India-Pakistan match successfully. We are now used to the challenge. Hosting the final won’t be a problem,”
Saurav Ganguly
he said. “You can’t have India playing in every final. Two of the best teams are playing here.” Commenting on India’s loss against the West Indies in the semis, Ganguly stated: “We lost to a side who played exceptionally well.” Kohli thanks fans Meanwhile, Indian star batsman Virat Kohli thanked the fans for their constant support for the na-
tional team throughout the World Twenty20. After losing to New Zealand in their campaign opener, India — winners of the inaugural edition in 2007 — staged a strong comeback, beating arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia but eventually lost to West Indies in the second semifinal by seven wickets here on Thursday to crash out of the competition. “Thank You for a memorable tournament. Thank You everyone for supporting us & cheering for us relentlessly,” Kohli tweeted. The 27-year-old scored an impressive 273 runs in just five innings in the competition to continue his consistent run in the shortest format of the game lately. The Delhi-lad also singlehandedly helped India cross the victory line as he smashed three unbeaten match-winning halfcenturies against Pakistan, Australia and West Indies. - IANS
B DIVISION: Powertech Engineering after their victory over Design United Engineering. – Supplied photo
MUSCAT: Powertech Engineering recorded a 69-run win over Design United Engineering in an Al Ansari Group of Companies sponsored B Division match at the Municipality Ground I during the morning session on Friday. Batting first, Powertech put on 203 for six in 20 overs. Manikandan G. and Nishad K. scored 73 not out and 53 respectively. Moshin Raza was the most effective Deign Unit Engineering bowlers claiming two wickets for each. In reply, Deign Unit Engineering were
bowled out for 134 in 17.2 overs. Brief scores: Powertech 203/6 in 20 overs (Manikandan G. 73 n.o.; Moshin Raza 2/27) bt Deign Unit Engineering 134 in 17.2 overs (Raghu 2/18). Points: Powertech – 3, Design United Engineering – 0.
Oooredoo B lose In a Raha Poly Products-sponsored C Division match, L&T coasted to a six-wicket win over Ooredoo B at the Municipality Ground I during the afternoon session on Friday.
Batting first, Ooredoo B scored 173 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Gaurav Suneel top scored with 46 runs. Ratna Kumar was the most effective L&T bowler and claimed two wickets. In reply, L&T scored 174 for four in 17.2 overs. N. Valliappan top scored with 66 runs. Noor Haq claimed two wickets for Ooredoo B. Brief scores: Ooredoo B 173/6 in 20 overs (Gaurav Suneel 46; Ratna Kumar 2/29) lost to L&T 174/4 in 17.2 overs (N. Valliappan 66; Noor Haq 2/29). Points: L&T – 2, Ooredoo B – 0.