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21 Sport maltatoday, Wednesday, 16 september 2015 formula 1 athletics tennis no changes to singapore GP schedule Singapore grand prix organis- ers have stated that there are no plans to alter the on track schedule for this weekend's event, amid the current haze situation which has led to unhealthy air quality levels. Singapore's 24-hour pollutant Standards index (pSi) recorded be- tween 126 and 151 on Tuesday, in the unhealthy range, due to farm- ers in indonesia burning forests to clear land. But while some local events have been cancelled, Singapore grand prix officials – via a new statement – say they do not currently intend to change the racing programme. "Based on the current pSi levels, there are no plans to amend the published racing and entertainment programme," read a statement from race organisers. "The haze situation is highly changeable not only from day to day, but from hour to hour. "Therefore, it is currently not pos- sible to reliably predict what the pSi level might be over the race week- end. "We will continue to work closely with all the relevant government authorities to receive the best pos- sible forecasts when they are avail- able." officials added that face masks will be provided to spectators, while first aid posts at the track have been placed on standby to deal with haze-related conditions. WADA hopes to get doping report by mid-November The World anti-Doping agency is hoping to receive the much- awaited report on allegations of widespread doping in sport before its board meeting in mid-novem- ber, WaDa Director general Dav- id howman said on Tuesday. The report of the independent commission, appointed by the agency and headed by former Wa- Da chief Dick pound, into claims made by german television regard- ing doping involving mostly rus- sian and Kenyan athletes had been initially expected this month. But it has since been combined with fresh allegations in august that hundreds of suspicious drugs tests had not been followed up by world athletics body iaaF. "We gave a mandate to the in- dependent commission and asked them if they would complete their work, their investigation and file their report with us before the end of this year," howman told reuters Television in an interview. "We hope they can do it well pri- or to the end of the year because we have a board meeting in mid- november and we would certainly like our board members to be able to discuss that report at that occa- sion." The allegations made by german broadcaster arD and the Sunday Times newspaper shook the world of athletics with the iaaF coming under fire for allegedly not follow- ing up suspicious test results from more than 800 athletes -- includ- ing dozens of olympic and world champions -- between 2001 and 2012. "Well i think you can say that because at the present there is a controversy which involves athlet- ics," howman said when asked if athletics was now succeeding cy- cling as a major doping offender in world sport. "i think it would be unfair to con- centrate on any one sport. it's prob- ably better if we said look there are problems out there in sport, there are issues that we need to address with the various sports and we're doing that. "at the present athletics is in the limelight. athletics is the sport which needs some assistance and we're going to give them that as- sistance after we receive this re- port." among the athletes now viewed with greater suspicion are also the Kenyans, who topped the medal table at last month's world athlet- ics championships in Beijing. There have been claims of ex- tensive doping among the african country's athletes while testers have been accused of tipping them off ahead of unannounced drugs tests. "They need a lot of help in Kenya. it's not just Kenya, there is ethio- pia, Tanzania, Uganda and a few others who form part of a regional anti-doping organization which we assist in the funding of and as- sist in the work," howman said. Two Kenyan athletes were sus- pended for anti-doping rule viola- tions in Beijing with the country's athletics federation pledging to fully cooperate with the iaaF. "What we're trying to do with Kenya in particular, however, is develop their national program," howman said. "it's difficult because the govern- ment money in the country is very hard to get hold of so we're in proc- ess if you like of trying to make sure they are alert to the major issues of the world is focusing on and that they do respond themselves. "We can't do their work so we need that positive response from the Kenyan government." Djokovic in his prime and threatening record books WiTh novak Djok- ovic's 10th grand slam title secured and the year-end number one rank- ing already in the bag, his strangle- hold on men's ten- nis looks unshake- able and records beckon. The 28-year-old Serb's initial slow accumulation of major silverware after his breakthrough at the 2008 australian open has accelerated to such an extent that talk of him sur- passing the likes of Bjorn Borg, rafa nadal and even roger Federer is no longer fanciful. Djokovic's four-set defeat of 17- times major champion Federer in a spellbinding U.S. open final on Sunday was achieved despite a re- lentless Federer onslaught and with virtually the whole new York crowd roaring every winner from the Swiss maestro. at times, Djokovic appeared the loneliest man in the world but he soaked up the pressure, sucked in the night air, and showed why beat- ing him on the biggest of stages is almost mission impossible. rarely in his career can the 34- year-old Federer have hit the ball with more ferocity, yet delivering the knockout blow to a player whose ability to turn tendon-stretching defence into clinical attack proved tantalisingly out of reach. aTp Tour chief Chris Kermode, blessed with a golden men's era that just keeps giving, described Djoko- vic's season as "awe inspiring" and few would argue. But for a stupendous display by Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in this year's French open final, the Serb would now be celebrating a calendar year grand slam that has proved beyond the greatest players of the modern era. The way he bounced back from heartbreak in paris, first at Wimbledon and then in new York, suggests he could complete the fabled 'slam' next year. "he's in his prime, unquestionably at the pinnacle of the game, and fully deserving of this latest accolade, a true credit to our sport," Kermode said of Djokovic clinching the year-end top ranking for the fourth time on Monday. Djokovic, ranked number one since July 2014, will move past John Mcenroe's feat of 170 weeks at the top in november and then only Jimmy Connors (268), ivan Lendl (270), pete Sampras (286) and Fed- erer (302) will have spent longer at the summit since the aTp rankings were introduced in 1973. "he's put himself among the greats. his steely resolve is what separates him," said Mcenroe who analysed the final for eSpn as the Serb fought off 19 of 23 break points against Federer on a raucous arthur ashe court. "he doesn't get the cheers like roger but maybe some day when he's 34 and has 16 or 17 grand Slams, he will." Djokovic's calmness on court, apart from the occasional racket- busting episode, speaks volumes for the contentment he enjoys off court with wife Jelena and son Stefan. "i'm enjoying this year more than i did any previous one because i'm a husband and a father and that makes it sweeter," he said. "i love this sport and all these re- sults and achievements are incen- tive for me to keep on going." Novak Djokovic David Howman, Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)