A total of 10 teams – four through invitations and six from qualifying events in six different regions (Commonwealth of Independent States, North America, South America, Europe, China and Asean) – will take part in the biggest E Sports (video games) event to be held in the Kingdom.

Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Motors Thailand, Wutthikorn Suriyachantananon. 

More than 1,000 teams are expected to compete in the qualification stage between September and October.

Thailand, which is in the Asean zone, will select a team through the Live Alive Thailand Qualifier, which will take place in parallel with zonal qualifying events.

E Sports is expanding globally – it is being featured in the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia as a demonstration sport but will be included as medal sport in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“We realise that the lifestyle of the young generation has changed according to modern technology. As a result, we have stepped up to catch up with the trend, especially on our policy to encourage young people to live their way of lives,” said the Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Motors Thailand, Wutthikorn Suriyachantananon.

BNK48 singers and organisers

“Due to the growing popularity of E Sports worldwide, we decided to support this tournament as we want to help develop the skills of Thai players and prepare them for the international level.”

According to the organisers, the four invited teams will be picked from the world’s top 20 and will be making their first appearances in Thailand.

 Despite a 2-0 loss record against the Middle Eastern side, Thailand showed no fear and rallied from a goal down to equalise through a header from Supachai Chaided in injury time.

That one point brought Worawoot a step closer to his target of four points which would be enough to secure Thailand a spot in the next round.

The top two teams from each of six groups and the four best third-placed finishers move into the round of 16.

Thailand have two group games left, against Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, and are expected to gain three points in today’s match with Bangladesh (which can be seen live on Workpoint TV at 4pm) and thus reach their target regardless of what happens in the last group game against the powerful Uzbeks.

“I’m quite satisfied with the outcome as this was just our first game,” said Worrawoot, who could afford to smile as the victory silenced widespread criticism, both of his player selection and poor warm-up results, heading into the Games.

“In fact we had so many opportunities but we didn’t capitalise. We will fix that later on. This boosts our confidence going into the game against Bangladesh.

“We will have to slow things down as our players were a bit hasty in their scoring opportunities. If we had taken our time to set up the ball better, there should have been more goals,” added the national coach who also orchestrated Thailand’s SEA Games gold medal defence in Malaysia last year.

Worrawoot is confident about his players’ ability to overcome Bangladesh but made it would be dangerous to underestimate today’s opponents.

The two nations have never met at under-23 level but the Kingdom’s senior team leads 9-3 with two draws in their head-to-head stats.

“It is clear that the chance to reach the next stage is to beat Bangladesh. I believe the players can live up to the expectations but we won’t pressure them to go for the goals hurriedly. There is no guarantee in football. But we will try our best in order to move ahead in the tournament,” added Worrawoot.

Meanwhile in the women’s basketball Group Y on Wednesday, Thailand were trounced 110-42 by 2014 silver medallists China.

It was a first Asian Games appearance for the men’s team in 20 years after they had failed to meet the criteria of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

The SAT previously sent only athletes or teams that had attained a top-three finish in the SEA Games or a top-five finish at continental level.

This year, however, such requirements were dropped in line with a new sports development policy.

Thailand made a great start and led 26-14 in the first quarter but struggled after two key players, Nakorn Jaisanook and Chitchai Ananti, went off with injuries.

Mongolia closed to within six points, 62 – 68, in the third quarter but fell agonisingly short.

Thailand’s next game is against Indonesia on August 20.

In the women’s handball, 2014 silver medallists Japan tamed Thailand 41-16 in a Group B preliminary round encounter.

Thailand will next play Indonesia on Thursday.

Nualphan Lamsam (left) and Suchawadee Nildhamrong (middle) with the AFF Cup trophy.

Meanwhile, women’s football manager Nualphan Lamsam said it had been harder than ever to secure the services of American-Thai Suchawadee Nildhamrong as her club California Golden Bears also needed her.

Suchawadee – aka Miranda – was a key player as Thailand reached the semi-final of the Asian Cup in Jordan in April, an achievement  which also earned the team a berth at the 2019 World Cup finals in France.

“Miranda is also needed by her club which has many matches from August 17. The Club has to let several players to play in the national team, which is why it was reluctant to allow her to join us,” said Nualphan.

“Her family, coach and I had to work hard to get approval from her club. But it’s really worth it as our team is in need good players.”

Suchawadee is due to join her teammates in Jakarta on Wednesday and wishes to face Japan in the opening game against Japan in Group C on Thursday.

Thailand need to finish second in the group in order to reach the knock-out stage, meaning they must beat Vietnam in the three-team group.

“The game against Vietnam is very important so we need to keep Miranda fresh for that. If she is tired from her flight, we might decide to rest her in the game with Japan,” Nualphan said.

Thailand suffered a blow when main goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing was forced to sit out training due to injury.

Suchawadee is due to join her teammates in Jakarta today and wishes to face Japan in the opening game against Japan in Group C on Thursday. Thailand need to finish second in the group in order to reach the knock-out stage which means they must beat Vietname in the three-team group.

“The game against Vietnam is very important so we need to keep Miranda fresh for that. If she is tired from her flight, we might decide to rest her in the game with Japan,” Nualphan said.

The Worrawoot Srimaka’s side fought bravely throughout the game after Thailand lost an early goal by a kick from Hazem Shehata just six minutes from start.

Thailand came close to their first scoring opportunity in the 23^rd minute through a kick from Chenrop Samphaodi but it flew over horizontal bar. The Thai striker launched another attempt 13 minutes later but it was saved by Qatari goalkeeper Al Bakri Mohammed.

Thailand launched a series of raids in the second half but never pulled it off until the Buriram United’s forward Supachai headed it home in the 92^nd minute.

Thailand will play Bangladesh who lost to Uzbekistan 0-3 in the other Group B match in the second preliminary round on Thursday at 4pm Bangkok time.

Staged at Stadium 29, the National Training Camp is the culmination of the 2018 Jr. NBA Thailand presented by Foremost program.  Richardson will help coach 100 boys and girls selected through Jr. NBA Coaches Academy workshops and the Regional Selection Camp.  At the end of the National Training Camp, eight boys and eight girls will be named as the 2018 Jr. NBA Thailand All-Stars.  Together with their counterparts from Southeast Asia, the 2018 Jr. NBA Thailand All-Stars will travel to Shanghai in October to attend NBA China Games 2018 featuring the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks.

“Basketball is a great way for kids to stay active and learn important values that will serve them both on and off the court, and I’m eager to play a part in the development of young Thai athletes of the Jr. NBA program,” said Richardson.

“Foremost continues to advocate for children in Thailand to embrace healthy and active lifestyles,” said Dr. Olarn Chowiwattana, Corporate Affairs Director of FrieslandCampina Thailand.  “By participating in the Jr. NBA Thailand program and interacting with world-class athletes like Jason Richardson, boys and girls in Thailand can learn about the importance of physical activity through basketball while incorporating milk into their diets.”

Richardson, a 6’ 6” guard from Saginaw, Michigan, was selected 5th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2001 NBA Draft.  A two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, Richardson also played for the Charlotte Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets), Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 17.1 points, 5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in 14 seasons in the NBA.

The Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.  During the 2017-18 season, the NBA reached more than 26 million youth in 71 countries through a variety of camps, clinics, skills challenges, league play and outreach events.

In addition to presenting partner Foremost, the event is also supported by official partners Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Gatorade.  MONO and TrueVisions are official media partners of the Jr. NBA in Thailand, while Spalding serves as a supporting partner.  The program is also conducted in association with the Embassy of the United States in Bangkok.

“Mastercard is proud to become a title sponsor on PGA TOUR Champions to bring the excitement of world-class golf into Japan,” said Nandan Mer, Division President for Japan, Mastercard. “As title sponsor, we look forward to providing added value to our customers with iconic priceless experiences linked to this tournament for golf fans, Mastercard cardholders and partner companies.

The 2019 Mastercard Japan Championship will mark the Tour’s return to Japan following the inaugural Japan Airlines Championship in September 2017 and will again be contested at Narita Golf Club in Narita-City, Chiba Prefecture. A field of 68 players, inclusive of eight local sponsor exemptions, will compete for a purse of US$2.5 million.

“We are excited to bring PGA TOUR Champions and the legends of the game back to Narita Golf Club and the passionate golf fans in Japan,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Greg McLaughlin. “Mastercard has been a tremendous partner of the PGA TOUR since 1995, and we are eager to build on that great history in an important international market with the Mastercard Japan Championship.”

“I’ve always enjoyed visiting and competing in Japan; therefore, I’m especially pleased that my partner of 25 years, Mastercard, will be bringing PGA TOUR Champions back to Japan in 2019,” said Watson.

Mastercard has a strong history with PGA TOUR-affiliated golf. It is the Preferred Payment of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Web.com Tour and sponsor of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. In March 2017, Mastercard extended both its presenting sponsorship of the Arnold Palmer Invitational through 2020 and exclusive global marketing relationship as the Preferred Payment of the PGA TOUR through 2022. Dating to 1995, Mastercard has partnered with the TOUR in order to provide unique golf experiences for cardholders, privileged access to select tournaments and properties, golf-related savings and offers, as well as an enhanced payment experience at TOUR events.

The inaugural PGA TOUR Champions event at Narita Golf Club was won by World Golf Hall of Fame member Colin Montgomerie.

“It was a great honor to play in the PGA TOUR’s first official tournament in Japan, and winning the inaugural event in 2017 was a very special moment in my career,” said Montgomerie. “The fans in Japan are remarkable and the tournament organizers put on a first-class event, and I’m thrilled that PGA TOUR Champions will be returning to Narita in 2019.”

The 6,528-meter Narita Golf Club is located approximately 45 minutes east of downtown Tokyo, and is operated by ACCORDIA GOLF CO., LTD., as one of the group’s flagship golf course.  ACCORDIA currently operates 134 golf course locations and 27 driving ranges.

The tournament will be conducted by PGA TOUR Champions with special support from the Professional Golfers’ Association of Japan.

All 380 football matches of the new 2018-2019 La Liga season, which begins Friday, will be available to watch on the social media network in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, La Liga said in a statement.

“We are delighted to team up with Facebook and be able to bring the action closer to all followers of La Liga in the Indian subcontinent,” said La Liga President Javier Tebas.

The deal will last for the next three seasons and will include pre- and post-match analysis programmes.

The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed in the statement.

Murray, returning from January hip surgery, was unable to get past the French 16th seed, hampering his preparations for the US Open starting on August 27.

Murray last played 11 days ago in a Washington third-round match which took him three hours to win and ended at 3 a.m.

The 31-year-old two-time Wimbledon winner is working his way back slowly and felt he could not subject his body to a quarter-final just over 12 hours later, prompting him to withdraw from that event.

Pouille had lost his previous three matches to Murray, the last at Dubai in 2017.

Murray, playing as a wildcard at an event he won in 2008 and 2011, saved a match point in the penultimate game on his serve and another moments later when Pouille was serving for the win.

But the Frenchman, who produced 40 winners to just 15 from Murray, closed it out at the third attempt.

Spanish 13th seed Pablo Carreno Busta started his week with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 defeat of France’s Richard Gasquet, while Japan’s Kei Nishikori put out Russian Andrey Rublev, 7-5, 6-3.

Peter Gojowczyk of Germany defeated Joao Sousa 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Cech was selected to face City on Sunday ahead of new Arsenal signing Bernd Leno, who joined the Gunners from Leverkusen in the close season.

But the former Chelsea star almost scored one of the most embarrassing own goals of all-time in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat against the Premier League champions.

Cech attempted a pass across the face of his own goal that almost crept into his unguarded goal to the horror of new Arsenal boss Unai Emery.

Leverkusen’s English account picked up on Cech’s narrow escape, replying to one tweet highlighting the error.

“We might know a guy…” they tweeted, seemingly suggesting their former number one Leno would be more adept at implementing Emery’s vision of passing out from the defence.

That was followed by a video of Leno playing out from the back in a game for the German side, with the caption: “In case you were all wondering how to play out from the back…”

Retweeted over 2,200 times, plenty of supporters of both clubs found the reply humorous, but Cech took to Twitter to post a reply on Monday evening, criticising the post.

“@Arsenal we share important values which make us a big club not only on the football side. Fair competition, professionalism and sportsmanship are the biggest ones you teach young footballers and it’s sad to see when other clubs don’t share the same values. @bayer04_en ,” Cech wrote.

Leverkusen’s account replied to Cech’s tweet soon after – saying their original “joke” had been taken more personally than it should have been.

It read: “Hi Petr. It seems our joke about wanting to see Leno, our former player, in action has been taken a bit more harshly/personally than intended. It was only a bit of banter. We’re all for the values you’ve stated and wish you and your big club all the best. Nice 1v1 save on Aguero!”

“I always try to find something where I feel like I’m the underdog and put that little chip on my shoulder,” Koepka says. “Even if you’re number one, you’ve got to find a way to keep going and keep that little chip on.

“I think I’ve done a good job of that. I need to continue doing that, because once you’re satisfied, you’re only going to go downhill.

“You try to find something to get better and better, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

The 28-year-old American joined one of golf’s most select fraternities with his second straight US Open triumph at Shinnecock Hills in June, becoming just the seventh player to win back-to-back US Opens and the first since Curtis Strange in 1988-89.

Koepka proved his triumph at wide-open Erin Hills was no fluke, grinding to victory at one-over par on a brutal Shinnecock course that sent Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth, among others, packing early.

Then for good measure, Koepka captured his third career major title on Sunday at the PGA Championship, outdueling Woods and Adam Scott down the stretch at Bellerive Country Club to shoot the lowest 72-hole score in tournament history, 16-under par 264.

Koepka displayed his trademark composure under pressure, unwavering and confident in his shotmaking with two birdies in the last four holes to secure the victory.

Overlooked going into the US Open after missing the Masters with a left wrist injury, Koepka had been all but written off at Shinnecock after flirting with the cut line when he was seven-over par during the second round.

Not that Koepka cared about that.

“I always feel like I’m overlooked,” he said. “It doesn’t bug me. I just kind of keep doing what I’m doing, keep plugging away, kind of hide behind closed doors sometimes, which is nice — kind of the way I’d like to keep it.”

Unfortunately, that doesn’t jibe with his avowed aim of piling up more tournament titles — majors included.

A 15-week enforced absence after wrist surgery earlier this year only served to show him just how much he missed competing.

“I missed the preparation. I miss competing,” Koepka said. “I’ve got to be competing at something. It doesn’t matter what it is.”

Adding to a sense of isolation, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson were the only tour colleagues who reached out to him during his absence.

“You make a lot of friends out here, and you feel like a lot of them, you just get forgotten,” Koepka said.

– European beginnings –

It’s a long way from the camaraderie he experienced as he toiled on the European Challenge Tour, building his resume after failing to earn his PGA Tour card through qualifying school after turning pro in 2012.

Three victories on Europe’s developmental tour five years ago saw him promoted to the European Tour, where he won the 2014 Turkish Airlines Open before making his way, finally, to the US PGA Tour.

“It was the most fun I’ve ever had playing golf,” Koepka says of his stint in Europe, which he reckons took him to tournaments in 21 countries before he was done.

“Probably the funnest time of my life,” he says. “I enjoyed it way more than I probably do now playing on the tour.”

Koepka has thrived in the team set-up of the Ryder Cup, producing an impressive three wins with one defeat in his debut at Hazeltine two years ago as the United States regained the trophy.

The Americans will face a different challenge from the forgiving fairways and fast greens of Hazeltine as they seek to lift the Cup on European soil for the first time in 25 years at Le Golf National just outside of Paris.

Koepka said that just as his major victories on vastly different courses showed, he was up for any challenge.

“If you start complaining, you’re looking for excuses,” said Koepka, who believes his game is suited to “all time zones”.