Qatar lose to Saudi Arabia in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifier

Doha: Qatar’s senior national basketball team produced a determined performance but suffered an 86–80 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their rescheduled second-window Asian Qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, held on Monday evening at Al Gharafa Sports Hall.Saudi Arabia made a strong start, taking the opening quarter 29–20 before extending its advantage with a 17–15 second quarter to carry an 11-point lead into halftime.Qatar responded impressively after the break, winning the third quarter 24–22 before continuing to apply pressure in the final period, which they claimed 21–18. Despite their spirited comeback, the first-half deficit proved decisive as Saudi Arabia secured the victory.Following the result, Saudi Arabia moved to seven points at the top of Group D, while Qatar have six points alongside Lebanon, with India remaining fourth, leaving the race for qualification finely balanced heading into the third qualification window.Qatar will now shift their focus to consecutive away fixtures, beginning with a clash against India in Ahmedabad on July 2 before facing Saudi Arabia again in Jeddah on July 5.The Qatari delegation is headed by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, alongside Team Manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani and Assistant Team Manager Nabil Jumaa.The team is coached by Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, assisted by Cengiz Karadag, Mirsad Memic, Abdou Sow, and strength and conditioning coach Mohamed Vural. The medical staff includes Dr. Adel Harmia, Dr. Adel Selim, and Nikasio Sagaino.Qatar's 12-player roster comprises Abdulrahman Saad, Mostafa Fouda, Omar Saad, Zeineddine Badr, Mohamed Hashem, Mostafa Nado, Babacar Dieng, Ousmane Dieng, Aladji Bobo Magassa, Alen Hadzibegovic, Donte Grantham, and Mahmoud Darwish.

Qatar Winter Sports Committee Signs Cooperation Agreement with Association for the Development of Ice Hockey in the Islamic Countries

Doha: The Qatar Winter Sports Committee has signed a cooperation agreement with the Association for the Development of Ice Hockey in the Islamic Countries on the sidelines of the Qatar national ice hockey team's participation in the international tournament held in Kazan, Russia, from June 20 to 24, 2026.The agreement was signed on behalf of the Qatar Winter Sports Committee by Hassan Hissam Al Habbabi, Secretary-General of the Committee, while Nail Ulfatovich Maganov, President of the Association for the Development of Ice Hockey in the Islamic Countries, signed on behalf of the organization.The agreement forms part of the two sides' joint efforts to develop ice hockey across Islamic countries by strengthening technical cooperation and exchanging expertise, with the aim of raising the sport's technical standards and supporting its growth at both the regional and international levels.Under the agreement, the Qatar Winter Sports Committee joins a distinguished group of sports federations and organizations that have established cooperation with the Association, including the ice hockey federations of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain, as well as several Arab and Asian countries, including Türkiye, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, and Algeria.The agreement aims to expand cooperation in the development of technical programmes, the organization of training camps, activities and workshops, the exchange of specialized expertise in ice hockey, and the education and development of players, coaches, and referees. It also supports talent identification and youth development programmes to enhance technical standards and broaden participation in the sport.Commenting on the agreement, Hassan Hissam Al Habbabi, Secretary-General of the Qatar Winter Sports Committee, said:"The signing of this agreement represents a strategic milestone in the development of ice hockey in Qatar and reflects the Committee's commitment to expanding its international partnerships and benefiting from global expertise and best practices in support of building an integrated and sustainable sports system."He added:"The agreement will strengthen technical cooperation and the exchange of expertise, particularly with Russia's extensive experience in ice hockey, which will positively contribute to the development of player, coach, and referee education programmes, as well as youth development initiatives in line with the latest international standards."Al Habbabi concluded:"This partnership also opens broad opportunities to organize joint training programmes, camps, and specialized workshops that will promote the growth of ice hockey, strengthen sports cooperation among Islamic countries, and reinforce Qatar's position as a leading regional and international hub for the development of winter sports, in line with our vision of building strategic partnerships that support sustainable sporting excellence." 

Sheikh Joaan meets Kuwait and Australia Ambassadors

Doha- H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, met  separately with H.E. Ahmad Abdulrahman Naser Al Shuraim, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the State of Qatar, and H.E. Shane Flanagan, Ambassador of Australia to the State of Qatar.The meetings reviewed areas of cooperation between the State of Qatar and both the State of Kuwait and Australia, and explored ways to strengthen partnership in the fields of sport and the Olympic Movement, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest. 

QOC unveils Second Edition of Team Qatar Summer 2026 Youth Program

DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Committee has officially launched the second edition of the Team Qatar Summer 2026' program, reaffirming its commitment to inspiring the next generation through sport, education and community engagement.Organized by the Sports Events Department from 28 June to 9 July 2026, the initiative is designed for the children of QOC employees and is delivered in collaboration with the Qatar Stars League Foundation, the Qatar Bowling Federation, Perf - Up Centre and several national sports federations.The programs caters to children aged 8–12, while a dedicated volunteer pathway for participants aged 16–18 focuses on cultivating leadership, responsibility and teamwork through practical experiences.Designed to foster healthy lifestyles and holistic development, the program promotes physical and mental well-being, strengthens behavioral and life skills, reinforces positive values, and provides opportunities to identify and develop promising young sporting talents in an engaging learning environment.The opening day welcomed 30 boys to the Qatar Bowling Federation, where they explored the fundamentals and culture of bowling, while the girls' activities will commence on 5 July with a similar visit.Over the course of the program, participants will visit the Qatar Police Sports Federation, Lusail Shooting Range, Perf Up Centre, the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1, the Qatar Stars League Foundation and the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, gaining valuable exposure to a wide range of sports, health, education and Olympic experiences.Speaking at the launch, Maryam Al-Mujaba, program Director, described the opening as a remarkable success, highlighting the strong turnout as evidence of growing public appreciation of sport's role in youth development and the importance of making productive use of the summer break.She noted that the program is designed to develop participants' skills while promoting Olympic values, discipline and teamwork in a safe, professionally supervised environment, adding that the initiative reflects the Qatar Olympic Committee's vision of building a healthier society and preparing a new generation that embraces sport as a lifelong way of life. 

Full Details of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4 unveiled

Doha – The full details of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4 have been announced today during a press conference held at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters.FIBA and the Organizing Ccommittee confirmed that the Season 4 World Finals will take place at the Mall of Qatar from July 3 to 4, 2026, bringing together eight national teams from across the globe, in a development that reflects Qatar’s growing prominence on the international digital sports map.The press conference was attended by Mr. Abdulla Ali Al Mawlawi, Executive Director of Communications & Guest Relations at the Local Organizing Committee – FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 , in the presence of Predrag Bogosavljev FIBA World Basketball Cup Qatar 2027 Director, Mr. Albert Huguet, eFIBA World Finals Project Manager Mr. Jassim Ahmed Al Mohammed, Official Spokesperson of the Qatar Esports Federation and representatives of the local media.The meeting opened with a short film showcasing the global evolution of e-basketball, followed by a detailed presentation by Mr. Al Mawlawi outlining key aspects of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4 on the NBA 2K platform. The presentation covered the competition venue, participating nations, prize pool, and promotional objectives, as well as its role in enhancing cognitive and competitive skills among youth in the region.The participating teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of Algeria, France, Germany and the Philippines, while Group B features hosts Qatar, the Dominican Republic, Lebanon and Türkiye. Each national team will be represented by five players, bringing the total number of participants to 40.The tournament offers a total prize pool of USD 50,000, distributed across both team and individual awards. The champions will receive USD 20,000, while the runners-up will earn USD 10,000. The third-placed team will receive USD 6,000, with USD 4,000 awarded to the fourth-placed team.The tournament will also feature several individual awards, including the Defensive Player of the Tournament, Finals MVP, and the All-Star Five Team. Prize money for the individual awards will be distributed as follows: USD 2,500 each for the Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Tournament, while each player selected to the All-Star Five Team will receive USD 1,000.The international event reflects Qatar’s vision to support sporting innovation and strengthen basketball’s presence within the esports ecosystem. It also serves as a strategic milestone on the road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, reinforcing Qatar’s ambition to further consolidate its position on the global sporting stage.eFIBA is the official international championship organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), where national teams compete via NBA 2K, with players representing their countries through national federations, delivering a digital extension of official basketball competition.Strategic Selection of Qatar:Qatar’s selection as host is based on multiple factors, including being the first country in the Middle East to stage the eFIBA World Finals, its rapidly growing investment in esports, its alignment with preparations as hosts for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, and Doha’s internationally recognized reputation in hosting major global sporting events.Strategic and Marketing Dimensions:The eFIBA World Finals serves as a strategic and marketing platform aimed at expanding basketball’s reach within esports, engaging younger audiences, enhancing national competition in the digital space, and blending sport with interactive entertainment in a global format.The Organizing Committee emphasized that the event reflects Qatar’s commitment to innovation in sport and contributes to building a sustainable legacy for e-basketball through talent development and competitive growth.Mr. Abdulla Ali Al Mawlawi described the event as a key milestone in Qatar’s sporting journey, highlighting its alignment with sustainability principles and its role in developing future generations of esport players.He also expressed gratitude to all partners involved, praising their efforts in delivering a world-class sporting event that reinforces Qatar’s ambition to remain a leading global hub for esports.For his part, Mr. Predrag Bogosavljev FIBA World Basketball Cup Qatar 2027 Director said:“These eFIBA World Finals in Qatar represent the ideal bridge between the traditional basketball community and the fast-growing esports generation. Hosting the Season 4 World Finals is a major milestone for eFIBA and further strengthens the connection between basketball and esports on a global stage.”“The event also serves as an important milestone on the Road to Qatar for the next edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, helping to build excitement and engage new audiences as the country prepares to welcome the basketball world. We are grateful for the Organizing Committee’s continued commitment to the sport, and as the first country to host the eFIBA World Finals for two consecutive years, Qatar is once again demonstrating its dedication to the growth of both basketball and esports.” 

Team Qatar Wraps Up Asian Volleyball Cup Campaign with Chinese Taipei Showdown

Ahmedabad-  Qatar's senior men's volleyball team is set for its final appearance at the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Cup, taking on Chinese Taipei in the playoff for seventh and eighth places at the tournament being held in Ahmedabad, India.The national side is eager to conclude its continental campaign with a positive result after navigating a tournament marked by both strong performances and challenging encounters. Although Qatar showcased its potential on several occasions, it was unable to advance to the semifinals and will instead compete for seventh place.In their most recent outing, Team Qatar went down 3-1 to South Korea in the final preliminary-round match, with the sets ending 25-16, 21-25, 25-21 and 25-18.After responding impressively to level the contest by taking the second set, Qatar continued to battle hard, but South Korea ultimately asserted its superiority in the closing stages to secure the win.