Green shoots of cricket in Laos

Green shoots of cricket in Laos
Thailand’s Lamphun cricket team won championship of the first Vientiane Eights match in Laos. (Facebook: Lamphun Cricket Chiang Mai)
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Updated 15 August 2024
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Green shoots of cricket in Laos

Green shoots of cricket in Laos
  • First Vientiane Eights match took place at Lao Tobacco Company ground on July 13-14

Following a theme introduced in previous columns of “They play cricket there, really?” another contender has emerged, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).

I had hoped to witness this first-hand by attending the first Vientiane Eights match at the Lao Tobacco Company ground on July 13-14. However, the window of opportunity between back-to back Test matches in England was too narrow for comfort. As a result, this column is based on conversations with the Arab News Thailand cricket correspondent, Richard Lockwood, who did attend.

It was at the Chiang Mai International Sixes tournament last April that I first met the members of the Lao Elephants team. The driving forces behind the team are Michael Simcock, who first arrived in Vientiane 25 years ago, and Eshan Sebastian. Although it is believed that expatriates played cricket in Laos more than 100 years ago, it is only in the past decade that there has been a reappearance of the game.

Even then, it was in a rudimentary knockabout format in Vientiane. The Vientiane Cricket Association was formed only five years ago with regular matches played on a ground at the Lao Tobacco Company factory. At that time, the ground was small, offering a dirt pitch and a pot-holed outfield, which necessitated the use of an indoor ball to protect the more inexperienced players from injury. Despite this, the game was played and enjoyed by expatriates, mainly Australian, plus a few Brits who came over the border from Thailand. Sri Lankans, Indians and Pakistanis later joined in. Soon, 30-over matches between Corinthian Cricket Club and Mekong Cricket Club became a regular Sunday feature at the Lao Tobacco ground.

Based on this growing strength, Simcock and Sebastian sensed that they could embark on international cricket tours, so they attended the April 2023 Chiang Mai Sixes, which had returned after a four-year break caused by COVID-19. They liked what they saw, both on and off the field, possibly helped by their adoption by members of the Floggers & Robbers team, itself with roots in the tobacco industry. The visit planted the seed of an idea as to what they could create in their own adopted country.

Germination was quick as they returned to Chiang Mai as the Lao Elephants to participate in the Gymkhana Sixes, a weekend event in November 2023. This was followed by full participation in the Chiang Mai Sixes in April 2024. It was during that week when Simcock, Sebastian and Dan Watt, owner of several businesses, began talking about holding an international tournament in Vientiane within three months. This needed significant work to improve the ground and facilities. An astro turf pitch had been installed in 2022.

Richard Lockwood reports that the bumpy outfield was flattened and then treated to a series of weekly mowing sessions by Simcock. The result was transformation into a billiard-table surface with wide, square boundaries. The short, straight boundary is shadowed by a ring of fully grown eucalyptus trees.

Boundary banners encircled the ground, displaying a multitude of advertisers and sponsors who supported the event. Food and drink were provided and the teams each had their own tents. There was even computer scoring with support from the officials at the Chiang Mai Sixes.

In this sylvan setting, five teams took to the field, three from Thailand. The British Club traveled by train from Bangkok, the route having been extended recently to Vientiane. Most of Pattaya Cricket Club’s players flew to Udon Thani before crossing the nearby border.

The third team was from Lamphun; all Thai nationals who had to be at least 18 years old to cross the border on three-day passes using their ID cards. The majority traveled on overnight buses, their fares sponsored by the Thailand Junior Cricket Development Fund. At the border, they were joined by two other players from elsewhere in Thailand. Once documentation was completed, they crossed the Mekong on a crowded bus for 30 baht ($0.86) apiece.

Two teams from Vientiane completed the line-up: Lao Elephants, the senior team and the Lao Calves. All five teams gathered at the Welcome Party, a venue which happens to be run by the brother of Ryan Campbell, who is currently coach of Durham County Cricket Club in England. It seems that Laos can produce unexpected cricket connections.

The format for the tournament was for the five teams to play four matches each on the Saturday with seven bowlers bowling an over each and batters retiring on 35. Lamphun won all four matches to finish ahead of Lao Elephants on three wins, British Club on two, Pattaya CC on one and Lao Calves with no wins, but still proving to be a competitive side.

On Sunday a series of six finals were played to keep all teams involved. British Club beat Lao Elephants and Pattaya CC beat Lao Calves to progress, but top-of-the-table Lamphun beat British Club to qualify for the final. After further eliminating matches, the British Club were rematched against Lamphun, who, well-rested, out batted their opponents. They were worthy champions of the inaugural Vientiane Eights, having won six matches out of six.

Richard Lockwood reports that all agreed that the event had been a great success, establishing international cricket in Laos, underpinned by excellent organization. The next steps are to develop local cricket — three Lao nationals played in the tournament. This is all part of a dream to have a national team which, one day, might feature in the Southeast Asian Games, a medal sport since 2010.

At a time when world cricket is undergoing rapid change, driven by the riches generated by the Indian Premier League and its owners, the tale of cricket taking a foothold in Laos is heart-warming. It is in line with the International Cricket Council’s mission to grow the game, but very different to the headlong race to grow the game by T20 franchise leagues. An online search for cricket in Laos generates reference to raising crickets as food. It is to be hoped that those promoting the game of cricket in Laos can achieve more appropriate recognition.


Nassr’s title hopes dented by Qadsiah

Nassr’s title hopes dented by Qadsiah
Updated 19 April 2025
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Nassr’s title hopes dented by Qadsiah

Nassr’s title hopes dented by Qadsiah

Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to Al-Qadsiah on Friday in what was a huge blow to their chances of winning the Saudi Pro League title. The defeat means that while the Yellows stay in third and eight points behind the leaders Al-Ittihad, there are now just six games to go. Time and matches are running out.

It was a hard-fought clash between two teams who may have to settle for a top three finish and a place in next year’s Asian Champions League. Both had chances, and both teams will feel that they could have taken all three points.In the end, however, there was just one winner.

Ten minutes before the break and Al-Qadsiah were ahead to draw first blood. Pierre-Emerick Abuameyang broke free down the right and while the Gabonese goalgetter’s shot was blocked, Turki Al-Ammar was on hand to open the scoring from close range.

It was a close run thing for much of the match, with Cristiano Ronaldo working hard to inspire Al-Nassr. Six minutes from time, however, Al-Nassr were level thanks to Sadio Mane. The Senegalese forward timed his run perfectly and then controlled a long pass from Otavio to and then fired home past the goalkeeper in one quick motion.

It seemed that Al-Nassr had earned a point at least but, then, with three minutes remaining, the hosts retook the lead and took the points. Nahitan Nandez hooked the ball into the six yard box and there was Aubameyang to head home to give the newly-promoted team a vital win.

Earlier in the day, Al-Ahli thrashed Al-Fayha 5-0. Brazilian defender Ibanez scored twice before England striker Ivan Toney also bagged a brace. Riyad Mahrez completed the five-star performance from the Jeddah giants.

"It was important to get the win but there is a long way to go until the end of this season," said Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle. "Let's see what happens."

In the end however, Al-Ittihad remain in first place while Al-Hilal are in second.


F1 title fight is increasingly focused on McLaren but Verstappen still hopeful

F1 title fight is increasingly focused on McLaren but Verstappen still hopeful
Updated 18 April 2025
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F1 title fight is increasingly focused on McLaren but Verstappen still hopeful

F1 title fight is increasingly focused on McLaren but Verstappen still hopeful
  • Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes have all had their moments but none has been a consistent challenger, as McLaren’s 58-point constructors’ championship lead shows
  • Jeddah hosts the fifth race in six weeks in a hectic start to the season, which stays at a record 24 races

JEDDAH: Ahead of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, this Formula 1 season is looking like McLaren vs. McLaren. Still, defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull says he hasn’t lost hope.
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are the only ones to consistently have the pace through the first four rounds of the championship.
Norris has a three-point lead but admits he isn’t at his best — though he had the fastest time of the day in practice on Friday — while Piastri has momentum after winning in Bahrain last week.
Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes have all had their moments but none has been a consistent challenger, as McLaren’s 58-point constructors’ championship lead shows.
Friday practice
Norris went fastest in the second practice session, while Yuki Tsunoda crashed to continue his difficult start with Red Bull.


Norris was .163 seconds faster than Piastri in the second session, which was run under floodlights and more representative of race conditions than the hotter daytime session. Verstappen complained earlier in the day of his car feeling “very loose” in high-speed corners but ended Friday third fastest, .280 off Norris.
In his third race weekend with Red Bull since replacing Liam Lawson, Tsunoda clipped the wall on the inside of a corner and slid into the barrier on the other side, requiring a red flag.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was the surprise leader in the first session, just .007 of a second faster than Norris. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was .07 off Gasly in third and Piastri fourth, barely a tenth of a second off the pace. Lewis Hamilton was eighth in the other Ferrari. Verstappen was ninth.
Verstappen’s hope
Verstappen is the only non-McLaren driver to win a grand prix this season, but in Bahrain he was struggling so much that Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko said he was concerned the Dutch star might reconsider his future.
Verstappen said this week he wasn’t considering the championship picture this early in the season.
“I’m not thinking about that. I just go race by race,” he said. “At the moment we are not the quickest. So then naturally it’s very tough to fight for a championship, but it’s still a very long road ... I’m hopeful that we can still improve things.”
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso dampened speculation Verstappen could seek to join his Aston Martin team after Red Bull car designer Adrian Newey made that move last year.
Asked if he’d welcome being Verstappen’s teammate, Alonso said Thursday: “Yes, but it’s unlikely to happen. Very unlikely.”
Alonso’s current teammate is Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Busy schedule
Jeddah hosts the fifth race in six weeks in a hectic start to the season, which stays at a record 24 races. There’s a little respite after Saudi Arabia, with two weeks till the next event in Miami.
“It’s on the upper end of the limit. It feels like race 10 already,” said Williams driver Alex Albon, adding it’s especially tough on mechanics and other crew members.
“As drivers, we travel better than everyone else in the paddock. We stay in better hotels than everyone else in the paddock — it’s just a function of being in a privileged position. With mechanics ... these are people with families. These are the people that really struggle.”
The rookies are still enjoying their first taste of F1, though.
“It’s just the beginning of my career, so I just want to keep racing and keep driving,” Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto said. “I’m learning new things every single weekend, so for me, if I could have another race next weekend, I would be very happy as well.”


Treble-chasing Inter sweat over Thuram’s fitness

Treble-chasing Inter sweat over Thuram’s fitness
Updated 18 April 2025
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Treble-chasing Inter sweat over Thuram’s fitness

Treble-chasing Inter sweat over Thuram’s fitness
  • The Frenchman, Inter’s top scorer in Serie A with 14 goals, is likely to miss Sunday’s Serie A match
  • “The tests revealed fatigue in the adductor muscles of his left thigh,” Inter said

MILANO: Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram has a thigh injury, the Serie A leaders said on Friday as they wait to see if he can recover in time for their Coppa Italia semifinal against AC Milan next week.
The Frenchman, Inter’s top scorer in Serie A with 14 goals, is likely to miss Sunday’s Serie A match at fifth-placed Bologna, Italian media reported as the club confirmed Thuram underwent medical tests this morning.
“The tests revealed fatigue in the adductor muscles of his left thigh. His condition will be assessed day by day,” Inter said in a statement.
Champions Inter lead the Italian top-flight standings on 71 points after 32 games, three ahead of Napoli.
They host Milan in the second leg of their Italian Cup semifinal on Wednesday, after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
Inter, one of eight teams who have won a league, cup and European Cup treble, could repeat the feat this season.
They face Barcelona, another treble-winning side, in the Champions League semifinals after advancing to the last four of Europe’s elite club competition with a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich.
Thuram, who has started 26 league games and missed only one this season, recently dropped out of the France squad due to an ankle injury.


Klopp ‘happy’ in new job despite Real Madrid rumors: agent

Klopp ‘happy’ in new job despite Real Madrid rumors: agent
Updated 18 April 2025
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Klopp ‘happy’ in new job despite Real Madrid rumors: agent

Klopp ‘happy’ in new job despite Real Madrid rumors: agent
  • Agent Marc Kosicke said 57-year-old Klopp was enjoying his new job
  • RB Leipzig coach Zsolt Low said he “could not imagine” Klopp moving to Real Madrid

BERLIN: Jurgen Klopp is “very happy” in his current post at Red Bull despite rumors linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said Friday.
The former Liverpool manager became Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer in January, taking care of a stable of clubs including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil.
Real Madrid’s quarter-final elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal this week has led to speculation manager Carlo Ancelotti is headed for the exit at the end of the season.
German media reported that Klopp was one of the names that the Spanish giants want to take over in the Bernabeu dugout.
Asked about the rumors, his agent Marc Kosicke said 57-year-old Klopp was enjoying his new job.
“Jurgen is very happy with his new role with Red Bull,” Kosicke told Sky Deutschland.
Also speaking on Friday, RB Leipzig coach Zsolt Low said he “could not imagine” Klopp moving to Real Madrid, adding the German was “very happy in the job.”
Low praised Klopp’s impact, saying “he’s shown that he can bring a club together, a group of 40, 50, 60 people, and take them with him.
“He adds incredible value with his experience, his human quality and his energy.”
In a 23-year career as a top-flight manager with Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, Klopp left each club of his own accord, a rarity in coaching.
“No matter where he’s been, he’s given 100 percent,” Low said, adding “regardless of where he is he’s stayed and done the job. It’s important to him to make a clean exit.”
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is considered a leading candidate for the Real Madrid job. Alonso, a former Madrid player, said Friday it was “not the time” to discuss his future.


Morocco ex-football club chair denies seizing villa in drug case

Morocco ex-football club chair denies seizing villa in drug case
Updated 18 April 2025
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Morocco ex-football club chair denies seizing villa in drug case

Morocco ex-football club chair denies seizing villa in drug case
  • Said Naciri is being tried alongside the head of a regional council in eastern Morocco, Abdennabi Bioui, in a vast drug trafficking case
  • Naciri denied the allegation in court on Friday, saying he legally purchased the villa

CASABLANCA: The former president of Morocco’s most successful football club maintained in court Friday that he legally acquired a villa he is accused of seizing from a convicted Malian drug trafficker dubbed the “Escobar of the Sahara.”
Said Naciri, who was chairman of Casablanca club Wydad AC and president of the city’s prefectural council, is being tried alongside the head of a regional council in eastern Morocco, Abdennabi Bioui, in a vast drug trafficking case related to the jailed kingpin.
Both defendants — former officials of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), a member of the country’s ruling coalition — have been in custody since the end of 2023, and face charges of “possession, marketing, and export of drugs,” as well as corruption and related offenses.
Naciri was accused by the Malian trafficker, Ahmed Ben Brahim, of having wrongfully dispossessed him of a villa in an upscale Casablanca neighborhood, one of Naciri’s lawyers told AFP.
But Naciri denied the allegation in court on Friday, saying he legally purchased the villa though a real estate company in 2017 before finalizing the acquisition in 2019.
“I am taking advantage of my hearing before the court to refute the false allegations being made,” he told the court, presenting documents and testimony that he said supported his version of events.
The trial is the first in Morocco to see prominent political figures accused in a drug trafficking case.
It opened last May, and involves 25 people alleged to have played roles in the trafficking network of Ben Brahim, who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence.
Ben Brahim, whose complaint initiated the proceedings against Naciri and Bioui, accuses the pair of helping him smuggle drugs to elsewhere in North Africa and the Sahel.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 25.