MIAMI // When the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the 2007 NBA finals, Tim Duncan took time to find a young LeBron James and offer some quiet words of encouragement.
Six years later, it was Duncan who needed the comforting.
As he walked off the court after a valiant effort came up short in Game 7 against the Miami Heat, Duncan was met by James and Dwyane Wade.
The two victors hugged the proudest of these old San Antonio Spurs, who pushed them to the limit in defence of their title. "He's one of the greatest of all time," Wade said of the 37-year-old Duncan.
Duncan, however, was ruing missed opportunities. "To be at this point with this team in this situation, where people every year continue to count us out, is a great accomplishment," he said, his voice quavering.
"To be in a Game 7 or be in a Game 6 and up one with two chances to win an NBA championship, that's tough to swallow."
"We were five seconds away from raising that trophy and it just didn't happen," said Manu Ginobili, recalling San Antonio's five-point lead with 21 seconds left in Game 6.
"At this point it's very hard because we're all sad and disappointed. We were so close to winning it."
The questions will start once again, just as they have almost since the Spurs last won the title, in 2007. Will Ginobili return? Can Duncan keep turning back the clock?
And does the 64-year-old coach Gregg Popovich have another year left in him?
Popovich said: "I'm going to get a meal. I'm not going to think about next season. I'm going to enjoy what they accomplished this season and feel badly about the loss all at the same time.
"I don't know how you do that, but I'll figure it out."
* Associated Press
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
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UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
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