MELBOURNE: Australia captain Pat Cummins threw his support behind star opener Usman Khawaja Monday, saying his bid to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was “not offensive.”
Khawaja has been denied permission by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to have a sticker showing a black dove holding an olive branch on his bat and shoes during the second Test against Pakistan.
The logo, which he displayed during training on Sunday, also had the words 01:UDHR — a reference to Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — written on it.
The 36-year-old, a Muslim, was stopped from wearing shoes emblazoned with the hand-written slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” during the first Test in Perth.
The ICC said they flouted its rules on messages that relate to politics, religion or race.
“We really support Uzzy. He’s standing up for what he believes and I think he’s done it really respectfully,” Cummins told reporters on the eve of the Test in Melbourne.
“As I said last week, ‘All lives are equal’, I don’t think that’s very offensive and I’d say the same about the dove.
“That’s Uzzy. I think he can really hold his head high with the way he’s gone about it.
“But obviously there’s rules in place and I believe the ICC have said they’re not going to approve that. They make up the rules and you’ve got to accept it.”
Khawaja wore a black armband during the Perth Test and was reprimanded by the ICC, but insisted it was for a “personal bereavement” and not politically motivated.
Last week, he spoke about how Israel’s war had affected him.
“When I’m looking at my Instagram and seeing innocent kids, videos of them dying, passing away, that’s what hit me the hardest,” he said.
“I don’t have any agendas other than trying to shine a light on what I feel really passionately, really strongly about.”
Australia skipper Cummins backs Khawaja on Gaza views
https://arab.news/mxg47
Australia skipper Cummins backs Khawaja on Gaza views
- Khawaja has been denied permission by ICC to display peace sticker on his bat
- He was last week reprimanded by the ICC for wearing a black armband during Perth Test
Russia hopes for ‘return to Olympic fold’ under Coventry
One of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled Russia
MOSCOW: Russia hoped for a return from sporting exile on Thursday, believing the historic election of Kirsty Coventry as International Olympic Committee president will lead to a “stronger, more independent Olympic movement.”
“We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who is also head of the Russian Olympic committee, wrote on his Telegram account.
One of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled Russia.
In Paris last year their athletes were forced to compete under a neutral banner, owing to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“On behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee, I congratulate Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the International Olympic Committee!,” added Degtyaryov.
“Her brilliant sporting career, Olympic victories, records, and contribution to the development of sport have made her one of the favorites in this campaign.”
Russia dogged outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach’s tenure first with the doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and then Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
MLB star Mookie Betts to own first franchise team from new World Bowling League
- WBL reveals Team OMG as its first team, with others to be announced soon
- “Bowling has always been my home away from the diamond,” said Betts
LOS ANGELES: The World Bowling League has revealed its first franchise team, Team OMG, owned by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar and world-class bowler Mookie Betts, who will be joined by his lifelong friend and business partner with The One Marketing Group, Cam Lewis.
The announcement marks the official launch of the WBL’s franchise lineup, setting the stage for a new era in the sport of bowling.
The WBL, announced in 2024, combines new rules, mixed-gender teams, iconic locations and dynamic team-based gameplay to reimagine the sport of bowling, which is already played by hundreds of millions of people across the world. The WBL, via multiple broadcasting deals in place, will look to deliver fast-paced bowling action across key markets worldwide and provide a global stage for the world’s best bowlers.
Betts is a three-time World Series champion, eight-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove Award-winner, seven-time Silver Slugger Award-winner and MVP-winner. He is also a lifelong bowling enthusiast who is ready to lead his team into a new era for the sport.
“Bowling has always been my home away from the diamond,” said Betts. “It’s a sport of precision, mindset and community – values I’ve carried my entire career. With Team OMG, we want to inspire bowlers and fans everywhere, showing them that bowling has the excitement and the commercial appeal to compete with the world’s best sports leagues. We’re excited to partner with Adi and the World Bowling League, and look forward to bowling along with our team in New York, Dubai, Singapore and more exciting locations.”
The WBL is owned and operated by League Sports Co., a pioneering sports tech holding company that is committed to pushing the boundaries of sports and entertainment. LSC invests in and operates cutting-edge sports brands and adapts them to the ever-evolving digital era.
“We are here to break boundaries, unite communities and bring bowling into the spotlight,” said LSC Founder and CEO Adi K Mishra. “Mookie Betts and Team OMG embody everything this league stands for — focus, energy and relentless dedication. Mookie is a world-class athlete and a true ambassador for bowling. His passion for the game and his vision for its future align perfectly with what we’re building at the World Bowling League.”
At Team OMG, Betts and business partner Cam Lewis are dedicated to building a culture, community and winning mentality. While setting the tone for the league’s future, Team OMG aims to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans to view bowling in a whole new light. Team OMG’s announcement marks the beginning of a series of exciting franchises in the WBL. With more teams backed by celebrities and iconic sports figures as well as partnerships with global brands to be announced soon, the WBL is poised to make history and redefine the sport.
Summer fight night sees UFC return to Abu Dhabi
- The event will take place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, in July
- UFC’s return to the UAE capital follows two spectacular events last year
ABU DHABI: The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship, has announced its return to Abu Dhabi this summer.
The summer fight night, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, will take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on July 26.
UFC’s return to the UAE capital follows two spectacular events last year.
In August, fans were treated to an elite bantamweight showdown at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov, where Umar Nurmagomedov secured a hard-fought victory over Cory Sandhagen with a five-round decision. Then, in October, UFC 308: Topuria vs Holloway saw Spain’s Ilia Topuria defend his featherweight title with a stunning third-round knockout over top contender Max Holloway.
With 20 events held in the emirate since 2010, UFC has become a mainstay in the region’s sports and entertainment calendar through its long-term partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi.
The upcoming fight card for Yas Island will be announced in the coming weeks.
Belgian club Anderlecht fire coach and rehire Besnik Hasi to the end of the season
- Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place
BRUSSELS: Belgium’s most successful club, Anderlecht, have fired coach David Hubert and replaced him with Besnik Hasi until the end of the season.
Thursday’s move came as the Belgian league enter their playoff phase.
Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place.
The 53-year-old Hasi, who also coached teams in Poland, Greece and Saudi Arabia, is returning to Anderlecht after guiding the team to the league title in 2014. He also played for the Brussels team.
“I know this club and the expectations that come with it,” he said. “It is a pleasure to once again lead the first team.”
Anderlecht won the most recent of its record 34 Belgian league titles in 2017.
Barcelona, Osasuna appeals rejected over rearranged match date
- The La Liga leaders will host Osasuna on March 27
- Osasuna also appealed against the new date
BARCELONA: Barcelona and Osasuna’s appeals against the rescheduled date of their postponed La Liga match were rejected Thursday by the Spanish football federation’s appeals committee.
The La Liga leaders will host Osasuna on March 27, after the game was canceled when a Barcelona club doctor died on the original date, March 8.
Barcelona appealed against the new date because it allowed some of their players “insufficient time to rest” following international duty.
“Precedent... establishes that national team call-ups are not sufficient grounds for rescheduling a match... when the team effected has enough players to play the match,” said the federation’s appeals committee.
Winger Raphinha is part of Brazil’s squad for a World Cup qualifier at Argentina set to kick-off at 0000 GMT on March 26, while defender Ronald Araujo travels with Uruguay to visit Bolivia on March 25 at 2000 GMT.
Osasuna also appealed against the new date because they would be left with less than 72 hours rest before their next match, which was scheduled for March 28 at Athletic Bilbao.
The committee said the Bilbao match would be moved to March 30, to allow Osasuna recovery time.
