分类： sports

In a thrilling International League T20 encounter at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders clinched their second consecutive victory with a four-wicket triumph over the Gulf Giants on Thursday. The match showcased exceptional cricketing prowess, particularly from veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, whose devastating bowling performance earned him Player of the Match honors.

The Knight Riders successfully chased down a target of 166 runs with four deliveries remaining, thanks to a formidable opening partnership between Alex Hales (46 off 39 balls) and Phil Salt (35 off 24 balls). Their aggressive 61-run stand in just 44 deliveries established a solid foundation for the chase. Despite a middle-order stumble caused by Tabraiz Shamsi’s impressive three-wicket haul (3/23), late fireworks from Sherfane Rutherford (30 off 22) and Andre Russell’s unbeaten 21 from 13 balls sealed the victory.

Earlier, the Gulf Giants posted 165/7 in their allotted 20 overs, largely propelled by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 72-run innings from 45 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and five maximums. However, Chawla’s masterful spin bowling, claiming four crucial wickets for just 27 runs, restricted the Giants from reaching a more competitive total. The 36-year-old spinner revealed post-match that he continues to refine his craft, focusing on leg-break variations to complement his natural googly delivery.

Gulf Giants captain James Vince acknowledged his team’s batting shortcomings, noting they fell “20-30 runs short” of a defensible total. Despite Shamsi’s bowling brilliance bringing temporary hope, the Knight Riders maintained control of the required run rate throughout their chase. This victory elevates the Knight Riders from sixth to fourth position in the ILT20 standings, demonstrating their growing momentum in the tournament.

As the first light of dawn breaks over Dubai, the Meydan Racecourse awakens to a symphony of rhythmic hoofbeats and the quiet hum of meticulous preparation. Each morning at 6 AM, this iconic sporting venue transforms into a theater of precision where champions are forged through an elaborate ballet of human dedication and equine athleticism.

The morning tranquility is punctuated by the powerful strides of thoroughbreds circling the track, their breathing creating steam clouds in the cool morning air. Close behind, tractors perform a crucial maintenance ritual—smoothing the sand surface to erase hoof imprints and create optimal racing conditions. According to Mohamed Abbas Youssef, Racecourse Facility Manager, this daily resurfacing eliminates potential obstacles, allowing horses to achieve maximum performance without compromising safety.

From a modest viewing deck typically reserved for VIPs, observers can witness the intimate details of training sessions—the visible exertion of muscles, the focused intensity in the animals’ eyes, and the distinctive sound of their heavy breathing resembling human exertion at peak performance.

The preparation regimen begins far earlier than most realize. Veteran horse trainer Julio Olascoaga starts his day at 2:45 AM, a full hour before the first equine athletes arrive. His responsibilities encompass comprehensive fitness management—designing exercise programs, monitoring nutritional intake, and conducting physical assessments to determine race readiness.

With 35 horses currently under his supervision, Olascoaga organizes them into five training groups. These athletes train daily with only one rest day per week, undergoing high-intensity “fast work” sessions every 7-10 days to evaluate competitive readiness. All training concludes by 8:30 AM to avoid Dubai’s intensifying heat and humidity.

The international character of the Dubai Racing Carnival brings additional complexity to scheduling. “We accommodate horses from Europe, America, and South America,” Olascoaga explains. “International arrivals typically come pre-conditioned, requiring mainly maintenance training alongside our local Meydan thoroughbreds.”

While the racing season officially runs from November through March to capitalize on cooler temperatures, the preparation cycle begins much earlier—typically in early July—demonstrating the extensive lead time required to develop championship-caliber performers. This hidden world of dawn preparations represents the unsung foundation upon which the glamour of international horse racing is built.

In an extraordinary display of resilience at Alexandra Palace, Kenyan veterinarian David Munyua authored one of the most remarkable stories in recent darting history by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat former World Grand Prix champion Mike de Decker. The 30-year-old large animal vet, competing in his first professional tournament outside Africa, achieved a stunning 3-2 victory that sent shockwaves through the sport.

The World Championship debutant appeared destined for elimination after dropping the opening two sets, including squandering opportunities in the second set. However, Munyua demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure, claiming the subsequent two sets in deciding legs to force a dramatic finale. After being broken in the opening leg of the fifth set, the Kenyan qualifier produced a spectacular 135 checkout that propelled him to complete one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks.

Munyua revealed the overwhelming response from his homeland, stating: ‘It’s going crazy back in my country – everybody is like ‘we did it’. Earlier today, most people were asking ‘this is the day now, are you ready?” The part-time athlete emphasized darts’ accessibility: ‘Darts is a simple game. You don’t need acres of land to play – you only need a room with a board and the darts.’

The match featured an unusual interruption when the notorious ‘Ally Pally’ wasp landed on Munyua’s face during play. Demonstrating characteristic composure, the veterinarian attempted to capture the insect in his pocket rather than eliminate it. ‘I tried to put it in my pocket to stay with me because I love going through tough things,’ he explained. ‘I’ve seen how it’s been interfering with other players. You need maximum concentration, so when you have a little disturbance, you need to get over it.’

Munyua balances his sporting ambitions with his veterinary practice, noting: ‘Being a veterinarian in my country and also a darts player, there are so many challenges you need to face to combine both. During the day, I’m dealing with my animals, but at night, I’m playing darts. I’m on call a lot of the time, so I can be throwing darts and then get a call.’

The victorious Kenyan now progresses to face either Dutchman Kevin Doets or England’s Matthew Dennant in the second round. Meanwhile, despite acknowledging Munyua’s performance, De Decker expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Alexandra Palace crowd, criticizing their booing and whistling during the match on social media platforms.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) commences this Sunday in Morocco, shifting focus from pre-tournament controversies to the highly anticipated action on the pitch. This mid-season tournament brings together Africa’s finest football talent, with host nation Morocco positioned as favorites following their record-breaking streak of 18 consecutive international victories and their historic semi-final appearance in the 2022 World Cup.

Morocco’s quest for only their second AFCON title since 1976 faces significant challenges despite home advantage. The team must manage immense pressure from expectant fans who sold out tickets within hours, while key captain Achraf Hakimi races against time to achieve fitness. Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat emphasized the importance of fan support, stating: “In Africa the most important [thing] is that you play with your heart. The fans can push us a lot.”

The tournament features several compelling storylines beyond the hosts. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah seeks to secure his first AFCON trophy in his fifth attempt, potentially capping his international career amid ongoing speculation about his club future with Liverpool. Defending champions Ivory Coast aim to replicate their remarkable 2024 home success, while Senegal looks to build on their impressive victory against England in June.

Organizational challenges have shadowed the buildup to the tournament. The Confederation of African Football’s scheduling conflict with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup forced a last-minute change to player release rules, requiring European clubs to release players just seven days before the tournament instead of the standard fourteen. This decision drew sharp criticism from several coaches, with Mali’s Tom Saintfiet calling it “catastrophic” and Comoros coach Stefano Cusin expressing frustration over disrupted preparations.

Despite these challenges, the tournament promises the unpredictability that has characterized recent editions, with seven different winners emerging from the past eight competitions. Cameroon enters the tournament amid internal turmoil after federation president Samuel Eto’o dismissed coach Marc Brys and omitted key players including goalkeeper Andre Onana and striker Vincent Aboubakar. Meanwhile, Algeria features Mohamed Amoura, the top scorer in African World Cup qualifiers, while Nigeria aims to improve upon their 2023 finals performance.

The tournament also highlights inspiring stories of perseverance, with Sudan remarkably qualifying despite playing all matches away from home due to the country’s ongoing civil war. Botswana, Mozambique, and Tanzania all seek their first-ever AFCON victories and progression beyond the group stage.

With twelve former champions in the field and the trophy described as the “holy grail of African football” by Benin assistant coach Tunde Adelakun, Morocco 2025 promises to deliver compelling football drama amidst the backdrop of organizational challenges and high expectations.