Qatar U18 Basketball Team Bow Out of FIBA U18 Asia Cup After Narrow Defeat to Japan

New Delhi:  Qatar’s U18 national basketball team saw their FIBA U18 Asia Cup campaign come to an end after a narrow 80–75 defeat to Japan in the qualification playoff for the quarterfinals in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday.Qatar produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament and remained in contention until the closing stages, but Japan prevailed by five points to secure a place in the quarterfinals.Japan made the stronger start and took the opening quarter 20–13. Qatar responded well in the second period, improving defensively and showing greater organization in attack to win the quarter 22–18 and reduce the deficit to three points at halftime.The Qatari team maintained their momentum after the break, taking the third quarter 20–17 as they continued to put pressure on Japan and kept the contest finely balanced heading into the final period.With the match on the line, Japan proved more clinical in the decisive moments, winning the fourth quarter 25–20 to seal an 80–75 victory and advance to the last eight.Qatar captain Abdullah Yassin Mousa delivered an outstanding individual performance, scoring a game-high 46 points, while Kaiman Tsunioka led Japan with 19 points.Qatar reached the qualification playoff after finishing third in Group C with four points. They began their campaign with a 94–69 defeat to Iran and lost 118–66 to China before bouncing back with an emphatic 90–43 victory over Sri Lanka.The national squad featured Abdullah Yassin Mousa, Azzam Mohammed Yaken, Tamim Ashraf Abouissa, Ziad Al Bitar, Moaz Omar Mousa, Ziad Tamer Al Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Walid Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed.The tournament provided Qatar’s young players with valuable continental experience against some of Asia’s leading basketball nations, including Iran, China, and Japan.The team was led by Algerian head coach Mounir Ben Ghalla, assisted by Hashem Zaidan, while Kenan was responsible for physical preparation and Seif Al Din Al Hamandi oversaw medical and rehabilitation duties. The delegation was headed by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams.The FIBA U18 Asia Cup also serves as a qualifier for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027 in Pardubice, Czech Republic, with the four semifinalists earning qualification for the global tournament. 

Team Qatar Defeat Saudi Arabia in Asian Men’s U19 Handball Championship Opener

Amman: Qatar’s U19 handball team defeated Saudi Arabia 30–22 in their opening Group B match at the Asian Men’s U19 Handball Championship, currently taking place in the Jordanian capital, Amman, until August 31.Team Qatar produced a strong performance in their opening encounter to secure their first two points of the tournament and strengthen their chances of competing for the continental title.Qatar will face Kuwait on Friday in their second group-stage match before taking on Iran on Sunday. They will conclude the group stage against Syria on August 24.The Qatari team will be looking to build on their positive start and deliver strong performances in the remaining matches as they seek to continue Qatar handball’s strong presence on the Asian stage. 

Qatar paddlers bag 20 medals at West Asian TT in Amman

Doha: Qatar claimed as many as 20 medals, including four gold, two silver and 14 bronze, at the West Asian Table Tennis Championships in Amman, Jordan.Hosted by the Jordanian Table Tennis Federation at the Sports Palace in Al Hussein Youth City, Amman, the eight-day tournament saw wide participation from players of Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, Iraq, Bahrain and the UAE.Abdulaziz Nasser Abdullah, Mohammed Abdulwahab and Abdullah Abdulwahab, Ahmed Al Qarni and Rawad Al Nasser, and the under-19 men’s team secured Qatar’s gold medals across singles, doubles and team events.Sultan Al Kuwari and the under-13 girls’ doubles pair of Serena Sheikh and Dana Al Kaabi won silver.Qatar also claimed 14 bronze medals across singles, doubles and team events.The results reflected the strong performances of the national teams across all age categories.Qatar Table Tennis Federation President Hamad Ahmed Al Hammadi praised the players for their performances and competitive spirit, saying the medal haul reflected the federation’s efforts to develop the sport and nurture young talent.“We are proud of what our players achieved at this championship not only because of the number of medals we won but also because of the high technical and competitive levels they demonstrated.“Their excellent spirit and keenness to represent Qatar in the best possible way, raised the Qatari flag high at this sporting event,” he said. 

Team Qatar to Face Saudi Arabia in Asian Men’s U19 Handball Championship Opener

Amman:  Qatar’s U19 handball team will face Saudi Arabia on Thursday in their opening Group B match at the Asian Men’s U19 Handball Championship, which will be held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, from August 20 to 31.The tournament draw placed Qatar in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, and Syria.Team Qatar will be aiming to start their campaign with a victory before facing Kuwait on Friday in their second group match. They will then take on Iran on Sunday before concluding the group stage against Syria on August 24.Head coach Khaled Hassan has selected an 18-player squad for the championship, comprising Rami Mahrous Azzouz, Youssef Ahmed, Youssef Emad Hussein, Alan Mohammed Al Mubarak, Moaz Hisham Mahfouz, Mohammed Abdelkhaleq Farhat, Abdullah Salah Hassan, Suhail Faisal Abubakr, Mohammed Hisham Khalil, Ahmed Mohammed Shaker, Moamen Abdo, Omar Tarek Fathi, Amanallah Al Farshishi, Ahmed Anas Khalil, Ahmed Tamer, Youssef Al Sayed Hussein, Abkar Mohammed Taher, and Yassin Abdulrahman.Qatar will be looking to deliver strong performances and compete for the continental title while continuing the strong presence of Qatari handball at regional and international competitions.

Team Qatar to Face Japan in FIBA U18 Asia Cup Qualification Playoff

New Delhi (QNA) – Qatar’s U18 national basketball team will face Japan on Thursday in the qualification playoff for a place in the quarterfinals of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, currently being held in Ahmedabad, India.Team Qatar will be aiming to secure victory and continue their campaign after finishing third in Group C with four points. Qatar suffered defeats to Iran (94–69) and China (118–66) before bouncing back with a convincing 90–43 victory over Sri Lanka.Japan, meanwhile, finished second in Group D with five points after recording victories over India (91–56) and Kazakhstan (81–45), while suffering a narrow 67–64 defeat to Korea.Should Qatar overcome Japan, they will advance to face New Zealand in the quarterfinals on Friday.The tournament carries added significance as the four teams reaching the semifinals will secure qualification for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027, scheduled to be held in the Czech Republic. 

Media and Content Creators Get a First Look at Al Janoub Arena Ahead of Official Opening

DOHA - The Local Organizing Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 hosted an exclusive site visit for media representatives and social media content creators at Al Janoub Arena on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, providing an introduction to the tournament and offering a first look at the venue ahead of its official opening.The exclusive tour provided media representatives and content creators with a comprehensive insight into the tournament, giving them a first-hand look at Al Janoub Arena, its facilities and preparations. Participants were also briefed on major activities and initiatives planned in the lead-up to the tournament, including the opening of ticket sales, the unveiling of the official tournament logo and the World Cup Trophy Tour, as Qatar builds momentum ahead of the event. The tour further offered an opportunity for direct engagement and deeper knowledge-sharing, supporting efforts to showcase Al Janoub Arena across a wide range of media outlets and digital platforms.The tour comes eight days ahead of the official opening of Al Janoub Arena, which is set to host the highly anticipated clash between Qatar and China in the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers. The Local Organizing Committee has invited fans and basketball enthusiasts to attend and cheer on the national team, with free admission for all.From the legacy of the FIFA World Cup to the future of basketball, Al Janoub Arena in Al Wakrah continues to write its own remarkable story. Following its role as a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue, the arena has been transformed and repurposed to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, marking a first-of-its-kind transition. Featuring an iconic architectural design, Al Janoub Arena will accommodate up to 8,200 spectators for basketball.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdulla Ali Al Mawlawi, Executive Director of Communications & Guest Relations at the Local Organizing Committee – FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, said the tour was designed to bring the Organizing Committee closer to content creators, influencers, and media representatives. It offered them a first-hand look at Al Janoub Sports Arena and an opportunity to learn more about the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, allowing them to share the experience with their audiences and showcase the championship through engaging media content.The Organizing Committee expressed its sincere appreciation to all content creators, influencers, and media representatives for taking part in the tour and for their positive feedback on the championship, its historic significance for the Middle East, and its potential to promote basketball and strengthen its legacy among young people and future generations. The tour comes as preparations gather pace ahead of the official launch of the one-year countdown to the championship, an important milestone on the road to this major global sporting event” added Mr Mr. Abdulla Ali Al MawlawiContent Creators, Influencers and Media Share Their Impressions:Commenting on the Al Janoub Sports Arena tour, Mohammed Al Alam, Al Kass Channels Coordinator, said: “Following the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar completed the first part of its mission by delivering a world-class sporting event, earning praise from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and international media and further strengthening Qatar’s reputation as a leading host of major sporting events.Today, we are focusing on the second part: legacy. Al Janoub Sports Arena is a clear example, having been transformed from a FIFA World Cup 2022 football stadium into a modern basketball venue. It reflects Qatar’s commitment to making sustainable use of its sports infrastructure and repurposing it to host future local, continental and international competitions, creating lasting value for generations to come.”Abdulla Al-Ghafri, a social media influencer, hailed the exceptional readiness and quality of Al Janoub Arena, viewing it as a notable addition to Qatar’s impressive sporting achievements. He said: “Al Janoub Arena has truly exceeded my expectations. It is setting a new record in the history of Qatari sport, and its distinction as the first venue ever to host two World Cups in two different sports makes it a truly remarkable landmark on the global sporting map. I am also particularly pleased by the decision to provide free admission for fans attending the Qatar-China match on August 27, 2026. I extend my deepest appreciation to the Organizing Committee for its outstanding efforts in delivering this event.”Anas Abou Qamer, a content creator, meanwhile expressed his excitement at the prospect of Doha hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. He said: “It was a fantastic tour and an experience I greatly enjoyed. It has only heightened my anticipation for the Basketball World Cup matches in Doha, where I look forward to experiencing a vibrant and unique atmosphere and discovering a different sporting experience through a game that commands a truly global audience.”Content creator Ahmed Qablawe said: “Ever since Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, there has been a clear vision to maximize the long-term value of the sporting facilities and infrastructure developed for the tournament by putting them to further use in hosting major international competitions. What we are seeing today at Al Janoub Arena is a powerful demonstration of that vision and of Qatar’s commitment to creating a lasting sporting legacy.”The FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 will take place from 27 August to 12 September 2027, featuring 32 national teams competing in 92 games across four arenas: Lusail Arena, Al Janoub Arena, Al Attiyah Arena, and Duhail Arena.