Hundreds of sports enthusiasts flocked to Aspire Zone to take part in the launch of Ramadan Sports Festival, which got off to a great start with a series of intense and competitive matches in the football, basketball, women’s tennis and staff futsal competitions.

Mercedes and Formula One world championship leader Nico Rosberg want to continue together and neither party is ‘flirting’ with alternative options as contract talks continue, according to team boss Toto Wolff.

A light rain was falling and grey clouds hung low over the rolling French countryside, producing premature twilight as three sleek prototype automobiles rolled across the finish line to end the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 1966.

Zelzal, who carries the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, won the Prix Paul de Moussac (Gr3) in style, this Saturday at Chantilly. In a fast-paced race led by Moon Trouble, Zelzal waited patiently in the pack.

Belgium’s Thierry Neuville, behind the wheel of a Hyundai, held off Volkswagen duo Jari-Matti Latvala and triple world champion Sebastien Ogier to win the Rally of Sardinia yesterday.

Chris Froome held on to win the Criterium du Dauphine for the third time as fellow Briton Stephen Cummings won the seventh and final stage yesterday.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt shook off a ‘horrible start’ to win the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix athletics meeting in 9.88sec, the second-fastest time in the world this year.

Australia showed the stuff of champions and South Africa’s suspect temperament was again exposed as they crashed to a 36-run defeat in the fourth match of the Tri-Nation One-Day International series at Warner Park in St Kitts on Saturday.

Former England captain Donald Carr has died, at the age of 89, it was announced yesterday.

Sri Lanka complained to the match referee after an incorrect no-ball call denied them a wicket against England at Lord’s yesterday, with the tourists even using their national flag as a means of protest.

Petra Kvitova’s bid for a third Wimbledon title has acquired new urgency after personal setbacks which may influence her preparations at the grass court Aegon Classic.

British tennis great Andy Murray boosted his bid for a second Wimbledon title yesterday by recalling to his team Ivan Lendl, who coached him to his success on ‘home turf’ in 2013.