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Daily Tribune
35 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Vovoras Appointed
TDT | Manama Greek coach takes charge of national basketball team with eyes on regional and international progress The Bahrain Basketball Association has confirmed the appointment of Greek coach Georgios Vovoras as head coach of the men's national team, in a move designed to elevate the squad's performance and profile across the region and beyond. Vovoras, 47, arrives with a deep résumé shaped by years of experience at the top levels of European basketball. His appointment signals Bahrain's intent to instill a more refined and competitive edge to its national team setup. Experience Across Europe and Beyond Vovoras is best known for his association with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, where he has held both head coach and assistant roles over several seasons. His coaching journey also includes stints at DEAC (Hungary), APOEL (Cyprus), and most recently Neptūnas Klaipėda in Lithuania, where he guided the team through domestic and continental campaigns. In addition to his European experience, Vovoras has worked closely with NBA franchises, featuring on summer league coaching staffs with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017. These roles have expanded his tactical toolkit and given him valuable exposure to evolving international styles of play. Promising Track Record Among Vovoras' notable achievements are Greek League and Cup titles with Panathinaikos as assistant coach, multiple EuroLeague quarter-final appearances, and leading APOEL to the Cypriot Cup final in 2016 as head coach. His ability to adapt to different environments and deliver results in both top-tier and emerging basketball contexts makes him a compelling choice for Bahrain's ambitions. The hiring reflects a broader vision within Bahraini basketball: to build a team capable not only of competing regionally but also of leaving a mark on larger stages such as the FIBA Asia Cup and World Cup qualifiers. Preparing for the Next Phase Vovoras is expected to begin his duties shortly after arriving in Bahrain. His first task will be to lead the national team's upcoming training camps and preparation matches, with a focus on strengthening fundamentals and embedding a coherent, high-level tactical identity. With Vavoras' international pedigree and practical adaptability, he represents a calculated and forward-thinking choice. Bahrain will hope his presence on the sidelines translates into consistent performances and, in time, tangible success. As the national team embarks on this new chapter, expectations are cautiously optimistic. The challenge now is turning Vovoras' extensive experience into results on the court.
Daily Tribune
36 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Netherlands maintains perfect start; Poland loses to Finland in World Cup qualifier
Netherlands maintained their winning start to European 2026 World Cup qualifying by dismissing Malta 8-0 on Tuesday, while their group rivals Poland lost to Finland in a match interrupted due to a medical emergency in the crowd. The results leave Finland top of Group G on seven points, one ahead of the Dutch who have played two matches less. Poland sit third on six points after three played. In Groningen, the Dutch raced into a three-goal lead against their overawed opponents inside the opening 20 minutes. Memphis Depay converted from the spot on nine minutes, before doubling the lead with a rifled finish from the edge of the box seven minutes later. Depay's brace brought the 31-year-old to 50 international goals -- level with former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie as the Netherlands' all-time leading goalscorer. Captain Virgil van Dijk killed the match off as a tie when he stepped onto the ball and arrowed a right-footed finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards. The Oranje then turned on the afterburners inside the final half-hour as Xavi Simons, Donyell Malen, who got two, Noa Lang and Micky van de Ven all netted. Poland began life without leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski in miserable fashion as they went down 2-1 in Helsinki. The 36-year-old played 158 times for Poland, scoring 85 goals, but announced Sunday he was no long-er available for selection so long as coach Michal Probierz remained in charge. The Poles fell behind to Joel Pohjanpalo's 31st-minute penalty, before Benjamin Kallman added a second nine minutes after the break. Jakub Kiwior pulled one back in the 69th minute, shortly before the match was interrupted when a spectator fell ill. After a lengthy stoppage, the final 10 minutes of play resumed but Poland were unable to find an equaliser despite applying relentless pressure on the hosts' goal. Elsewhere, Serbia eased past Andorra 3-0 to move to third in Group K on four points courtesy of an Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick. They trail Albania in second by one point and sit level with Latvia after those sides played out a 1-1 draw in Riga. Austria beat San Marino 4-0 to go second in Group H, three points behind leaders Bosnia and Hercegovina who have played an extra match. Marko Arnautovic scored a brace inside the opening quarter-hour, as Michael Gregoritsch and Christoph Baumgartner completed the scoring in Serravalle. Romania defeated Cyprus 2-0, but dropped to third in the group after Austria's second win from two outings.
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
EU, Britain strike deal on Gibraltar's post-Brexit status
The European Union and Britain yesterday sealed a 'historic' deal on the status of the territory of Gibraltar, five years after Brexit. The deal will ease the flow of people and goods over the Gibraltar-Spain border, forming part of London's much-vaunted 'reset' in ties with Brussels. When Britain left the EU in 2020, the relationship between Gibraltar -- historically an important military base for Britain due to its position at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea -- and the bloc remained unresolved. Talks between London, Madrid, Brussels and Gibraltar on a deal had made halting progress during several rounds of negotiations under Britain's previous Conservative government, but the arrival of Labour last summer gave new impetus. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said it was 'a truly historic milestone for the European Union, including Spain, as well as for the United Kingdom and Gibraltar'. 'This agreement benefits everyone and will bring legal certainty and confidence to the people and businesses across the region,' he said during a news conference in Brussels. He said he was 'absolutely convinced' it would be ratified by the parties because 'it's a good agreement'. In a statement, the four parties said the agreement would create a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, with no physical barriers or checks between the territory and the border town of La Linea.
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
Aid Campaign for Former Bahrain Expat Touches Hearts
An emotional appeal by the widow of Kapil Renji Thampan, a former Bahrain resident who tragically died in a road accident in Canada, has moved communities across the world, with donations pouring in to support the grieving family. Kapil, 42, had worked as a sound engineer at Radio Voice 104.2 FM in Bahrain before moving to Saudi Arabia and then settling in Ontario, Canada, with his wife Ambily and their two daughters. The family had only recently arrived as permanent residents, hoping to begin a new life. But a fatal accident on June 10th shattered those hopes. In the aftermath, Ambily launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking help with funeral expenses and support for herself and her children, who are currently in Grades 6 and 7. Bahrain Steps In The fundraising plea, written with raw honesty, quickly reached former colleagues, friends, and listeners from Kapil's years in Bahrain. They responded with generosity, empathy, and prayers, helping the campaign exceed its initial goal within days. Many in Bahrain's Indian diaspora remember Kapil as a calm, skilled professional with a quiet dedication to his craft and community. Tributes highlighted not only his contributions to radio and music but also his humility and devotion to his family. A Lasting Impact What began as a desperate call for help has become a rallying point for solidarity. Donors from Bahrain, India, Canada, and beyond contributed not only money, but heartfelt messages that have brought comfort to the family during this time of sorrow. For Ambily, every donation, large or small, has helped lighten the burden of sudden loss. In her own words, 'Even a share of this message or a prayer for strength would mean so much to us.' More Than Money The campaign's success is more than a financial relief. It is a testament to the enduring bonds of Bahrain's expatriate community. Though Kapil had left the Kingdom years ago, the people who knew him have shown that compassion crosses borders and that solidarity does not fade with time.
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Kuwait mandates employer okay for foreign staff to leave
Kuwait is to require foreigners working in the private sector to obtain their employer's permission before leaving the country, authorities said yesterday, adding further restrictions on workers bound by the kafala sponsorship system. First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef issued a ministerial circular 'requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain an 'exit permit' from their registered employer before leaving the country,' the Public Authority of Manpower said in a statement on its X account. The procedure, which can be done online, aims to 'strengthen oversight of the movement of expatriate workers and ensure a balance between the workers' and employers' rights', the statement added. The new requirement will take effect from July 1. Saudi Arabia has similar restrictions on expatriate workers, who are required to obtain exit and re-entry permits from their sponsor to leave and re-enter the country. Starting in 2017, Qatar made a series of reforms to its employment regulations after being selected to host the 2022 World Cup. In 2018, Doha began allowing most foreigner workers to leave the country without their employer's authorisation, extending the new procedure to domestic staff two years later.
