Qatar’s only professional boxer Sheikh Fahad Al Thani is targeting a return to the ring in September this year. Undefeated in 13 fights since his debut in 2016, Sheikh Fahad is currently training at home with emphasis on “strength and balance.” “Hopefully this pandemic allows life to get back to normal routine in some shape or form. This way we can resume our normal sports activities and get ready for competitions. The target in my mind is to fight in September,” Sheikh Fahad, 32, said in an interview.
“Before Ramadan, I had started to train at home. Training at home is quite restricted as you have to adapt to keep fit, to keep in shape and trying not to shoot up in weight,” the Doha-born boxer said. “Before this pandemic broke through, I was really in a good spot with my training. I was at my best, actually. But I had to stop training close to peaking as I was getting ready for my 14th fight (in February),” he said. Sheikh Fahad was scheduled to fight Romanian boxer Marius Petrus on February 29 but the light middleweight division fight - to be held under the umbrella of the Professional Boxers Association in Spain - was cancelled due to a sudden injury to Petrus 24 hours before the fighters got into the ring.
“There has been a lot of change to my training routine (because of the coronavirus pandemic forcing athletes indoors). Now I am working on strength and balance. “This will help me keep my body in good shape, in good nick. Obviously as an athlete you can’t change things as you know there’s a peaking stage. There are so many different elements to training. We have to break things down,” he added. “Like i said, I am working on strength and balance at home, using an app to co-train with my French coach Frank Bohic.
We take it from there. Each day is different - Sunday is little bit of technique, using shadow boxing. However, the main theme is using exercise to keep the body strong,” Sheikh Fahad said. Sheikh Fahad said athletes had responsibility to educate those struggling to keep fit. “
As athletes, we have responsibilities as we have to keep fit and motivate others to exercise at the a time like this when we are at home. We have to educate people around us. We have to spend time with family and keep monitoring the situation locally and globally on developments related to sports activities,” Sheikh Fahad said. When asked about his diet, Sheikh Fahad said: “Diet in Ramadan is not to jump on sugar so much.
We have to monitor the amount we take when it comes to sweets and desserts. Everything has to be consumed in moderation. Also, we have to rehydrate properly. It is a very important factor in our diet as it is getting warmer. Having healthy food is also a key element for athletes who are active in training,” he added. 'Wasn’t the right time' to take Barca job, says Xavi IANS – DOHA Former Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has revealed the reason why he turned down the head coach job at his former club FC Barcelona.
Speaking to former team-mate Samuel Eto’o during an Instagram live session, Xavi stated he felt it wasn’t the right time for him to take over at such a big club so early in his managerial career. Barcelona had gotten in touch with Xavi in January to replace Ernesto Valverde but citing lack of experience, Xavi turned down the job in favour of staying at Al Sadd in Qatar. Then Real Betis manager Quique Setien was named as Barcelona boss after Xavi passed on the chance to return to his boyhood club.
“In January the time was not right,” Xavi told Eto’o as per Daily Mail. “I had conversations with (Eric) Abidal and (Oscar) Grau and an important proposal, but it was not the time. “I need a little more experience.
Training for Barca is my dream and I would like someday day to manage them. I have said that many times,” he added. Xavi is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, winning multiple team and personal honours on the international arena as well as club level. At Barcelona, Xavi won eight LaLiga titles, three Copa Del Reys and four Champions League trophies. He is also a one time World Cup (2010) winner and two-time European Champion (2008, 2012) with his national team Spain.
EFL clubs facing a £200m 'cash hole' by September REUTERS – MANCHESTER Football League (EFL) clubs are facing a “cash hole” of £200m by September, chairman Rick Parry told a parliamentary committee yesterday. Parry, the former chief executive of Liverpool, was being questioned by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and said all involved in the game, including players and owners, needed to “share the pain”.
The EFL, which includes the second tier Championship, has not played since early March “We are heading for a financial hole of about £200m, a cash hole we need to fill, clubs will need to fill...the cash hole towards autumn looks pretty grim,” said Parry. “We need a rescue package. We also need to address the longer term or we will back into problems in two or three years, they need to go hand in hand,” he said, referring to “root and branch” changes. RIZWAN REHMA
