Qatar Table Tennis Team Set for World Team Championships in London 2026

DOHA – Qatar’s men’s table tennis team will launch its campaign at the 2026 World Team Championships in London on Tuesday, as the prestigious tournament runs through May 10, bringing together the world’s elite in one of the sport’s biggest global events.The championship features 64 men’s teams and 64 women’s teams, with the contenders divided into 16 groups of four teams each, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive battle for international honours.Qatar’s squad is made up of Mohammed Abdulwahab, Fahad Al Mughni, Abdullah Abdulwahab, Sultan Al Kuwari, and Rawad Al Nasser, under the guidance of head coach Vitaly Nekhvedovich. The national delegation departed Doha on Monday ahead of the opening matches.Drawn in Group H, Qatar will face Serbia in its opening fixture on Tuesday, before taking on Luxembourg on Wednesday and Croatia on Thursday in a challenging group-stage schedule.Qatar secured its place at the 2026 World Championships following a series of encouraging performances at the Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar, India, last year.Hamad Ahmed Al Hammadi, President of the Qatar Table Tennis Federation, affirmed that the national team has undergone thorough preparations for the tournament through an intensive domestic training camp and participation in several local competitions.Al Hammadi acknowledged the strength of Qatar’s group, noting that the team will face opponents ranked higher in the world standings, while expressing confidence in the players’ ability to deliver a strong performance on the global stage.He also emphasised that competing at the World Championships will provide invaluable preparation for Qatar ahead of its participation in the 4th Gulf Games in Doha next month.Al Hammadi further revealed that the International Table Tennis Federation will stage a special centenary celebration next Saturday, adding that he will also attend the Federation’s General Assembly meeting in London next Sunday.

Team Qatar Beach Handball Tops Group and Advances to Semi-Finals at Sanya 2026

Sanya – Qatar’s beach handball national team secured qualification for the semi-finals of the Asian Beach Games ,  Sanya 2026 after defeating Thailand 2-0 (26-20, 22-20) in Sunday’s preliminary round clash, sealing top spot in Group B with 12 points.The highly anticipated encounter brought together the two leading teams in the group, both entering the match with 10 points from five consecutive victories each. Qatar’s decisive win confirmed its dominance in the group stage and strengthened its position at the top of the standings as it continues its successful campaign toward the knockout rounds.The victory further underlined Al Adaam’s impressive consistency throughout the tournament, as the team managed to overcome its strongest challenger for group leadership and extend its unbeaten run with another commanding performance.Qatar has enjoyed an outstanding run since the start of the competition, opening its campaign with victories over Pakistan and Oman before continuing its winning streak against Bangladesh and Mongolia, followed by a fifth successive win over Jordan in the preliminary round.The draw had placed Qatar in a highly competitive group alongside Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Mongolia, making the race for qualification particularly demanding. However, the team succeeded in maintaining a consistently high level of performance, thanks to the experience of its players and the strong cohesion within the squad.Qatar will conclude its preliminary round matches on Monday against the Maldives before entering the semi-finals on Tuesday, while the final is scheduled for Thursday, where Al Adaam will aim to continue its positive momentum and defend its continental title.Qatar’s First Beach Volleyball Team Reaches Quarter-FinalsMeanwhile, Qatar’s first men’s beach volleyball team, featuring Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, advanced to the quarter-finals of the Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026 after defeating Qatar’s second team of Mohammed Ehab and Mousa Al Khair in straight sets (21-10, 21-16) in an all-Qatari Round of 16 clash held on Sunday.The all-Qatari showdown reflected the strong performances both teams had delivered since the start of the tournament, with the first team ultimately confirming its superiority through greater experience and excellent on-court chemistry.In Monday’s quarter-final, Qatar’s first team will face China, who qualified after defeating Thailand by two sets to one, in a highly anticipated match as Al Adaam seeks to continue its successful run and move closer to the medal rounds.The first team had topped Group B with a perfect record, securing three consecutive wins over the Maldives and Uzbekistan before concluding the preliminary round with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Iran (21-11, 21-23, 15-13).Meanwhile, the second team advanced to the Round of 16 after finishing second in its group, following victories over Saudi Arabia and Macau before losing to China in the final preliminary round match, which set up the direct clash against the first team for a place in the quarter-finals.Qatar is participating in beach volleyball at the Games with four teams—two men’s teams and two women’s teams—reflecting the continued growth of the sport and the expansion of Qatar’s presence at the continental level.Qatar Men’s 3x3 Basketball Team Eyes Group LeadElsewhere, Qatar’s men’s 3x3 basketball team will conclude its preliminary round campaign on Monday with an important match against India, aiming to confirm top spot in the group and maintain its strong momentum before the knockout stages begin.Al Adaam enters the match in high spirits after an impressive start to the tournament, having secured back-to-back victories over Bahrain and Kazakhstan with strong technical and physical performances that highlighted the team’s readiness and ability to impose its fast-paced style of play.The match against India carries particular importance as it represents the final step in the group stage and will significantly shape Qatar’s path in the knockout rounds, especially amid the close competition in Group C, which also includes Bahrain and Kazakhstan.Meanwhile, Qatar’s women’s team will play its second preliminary round match against Kazakhstan, seeking to recover from its opening defeat to China and aiming to deliver a stronger performance while gaining valuable continental experience.The men’s team was drawn into a balanced group, while the women’s team faces a more challenging path in a strong group featuring both China and Kazakhstan.The knockout rounds are scheduled for Tuesday, with the semi-finals and final to be held on Wednesday as Qatar looks to continue its successful journey and challenge for top positions.The men’s squad includes Mohammed Bashir, Dejan Janic, Nedim Muslic, and Ousmane Ding, while the women’s squad features Sama Jasser, Tania Al Taweel, Mona Al Sayed, and Alaa Suleiman, reflecting the federation’s commitment to supporting the sport and expanding its player base.Qatar Wrestling Team Arrives in SanyaIn wrestling, Qatar’s men’s national team arrived in Sanya on Saturday to participate in the Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026, with the athletes immediately beginning their preparations to adapt to the competition environment and raise their readiness ahead of the bouts.The team includes  Saad Al Hammadi  competing in the 80kg category and  Hamad Al Nuaimi in the 70kg division, with both athletes continuing intensive training sessions in preparation for their highly anticipated participation.Qatar’s wrestlers are scheduled to compete on Tuesday, aiming to deliver strong performances that reflect the development of the sport in Qatar while gaining valuable experience and exposure against some of Asia’s top athletes. 

OCA Signs Agreement with the Philippines to Host 7th Asian Beach Games

Sanya/China, April 27 (QNA) -The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Philippine government, and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officially signed an agreement to host the 7th Asian Beach Games (Cebu 2028) during a ceremony held in Sanya, People's Republic of China, on the sidelines of the 6th Asian Beach Games.The agreement was signed by HE President of the OCA Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President of the POC, Abraham Tolentino.The agreement reaffirms the OCA's commitment to further developing beach sports in Asia and enhancing opportunities to host major continental events, thus contributing to the growth of the Asian Olympic Movement.The Games are scheduled to take place in March 2028. The organizing committee is currently preparing a preliminary sports program featuring 24 sports, pending final approval from the OCA.The Games are expected to see broad participation from National Olympic Committees, with the Philippine side confirming Cebu City's readiness in terms of infrastructure and organizational capacity. 

Sherif and Tijan Storm into Semi-Finals, Set Up Thailand Clash at Sanya 2026

SANYA, China – Qatar’s beach volleyball duo of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan powered into the semi-finals of the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games, after defeating the Chinese pair in straight sets (21-10, 21-19) in their quarter-final encounter on Monday.The Qatari pair will now face Thailand in Tuesday’s semi-final after the Thai team booked its place with a victory over Indonesia. Sherif and Tijan will be aiming to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the gold-medal match, while the other semi-final will see Iran take on Oman.Qatar is competing in beach volleyball with four teams, including two men’s and two women’s teams, underlining the nation’s growing presence in the sport across the continent.In beach handball, Qatar closed out the group stage with another commanding win, defeating the Maldives 2-0 (26-12, 18-16) to finish top of Group B with a perfect record.The victory extended Qatar’s unbeaten streak after earlier wins over Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Jordan and Thailand, confirming the team’s strong title credentials heading into the knockout rounds.Qatar will face Bahrain in Tuesday’s semi-final, while Iran meets Thailand in the other last-four contest.Meanwhile, Qatar’s men’s 3x3 basketball team advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating India 15-12, sealing top spot in Group C.After opening with victories against Bahrain and Kazakhstan, the Qatari side maintained its flawless campaign and now awaits the winner of the clash between Iran and Hong Kong.The women’s team also progressed to the next round after finishing third in Group A and will meet Singapore in the round of 16.Elsewhere, Qatar’s campaign continues on Tuesday in wrestling, with Saad Al Hammadi competing in the 80kg category and Hamad Al Nuaimi in the 70kg division, while in sailing, Tamim Shams and Thani Shams will compete in the final race as they seek to improve their overall standings before the close of competition.

GCC Athletes Gear Up for “Doha 2026” as Organising Committees Raise the Pace of Preparations for the 4th Gulf Games 2026

DOHA - The organizing committees of the 4th GCC Games Doha 2026 have significantly accelerated their preparations as the countdown begins for the highly anticipated regional event, set to take place from 11 to 22 May.These extensive preparations reflect a firm commitment to delivering an exceptional edition that showcases Qatar’s distinguished standing in both sport and event organization, while reaffirming the nation’s proven ability to host regional and international competitions in line with the highest global standards.All committees are working in close coordination to complete every logistical, technical, and organizational detail, ensuring a memorable edition of the Games. The event will bring together an elite field of athletes from across the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, competing in 19 different sports, including handball, table tennis, athletics, squash, padel, fencing, boxing, taekwondo, karate, swimming, billiards, snooker, basketball (5x5 and 3x3), shooting, archery, volleyball, equestrian, and bowling, highlighting the diversity of competition and enhancing the sporting and fan appeal of the event.In this regard, Mohammed  Issa Al Fadala, Chairman of the Sports Committee, confirmed that technical preparations are progressing according to a carefully structured plan designed to ensure every competition is staged at the highest possible level. He noted that the committee is committed to creating the ideal environment for athletes by preparing venues to international standards and coordinating closely with sports federations to provide a world-class competitive atmosphere.For her part, Mrs. Eman Al Emadi, Chairwoman of the Services Committee, stated that work is continuing around the clock to deliver a seamless experience for all delegations.She said: “We are focusing on every detail related to transportation, accommodation, and hospitality, while striving to provide smooth and distinguished services that reflect Qatar’s renowned hospitality and ensure the comfort of all participants throughout the Games.”Meanwhile, Salah Al Saadi, Chairman of the Venues Committee, stressed the readiness of the sporting facilities, saying: “All venues have been fully prepared to the highest specifications, with operational testing carried out to ensure complete efficiency and to deliver an integrated organizational experience for this Gulf event.”In turn, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al Thani, Chairman of the Marketing and Communications Committee, confirmed that promotional activities for the Games have already begun. He explained that the marketing strategy aims to boost spectator attendance and deepen engagement with the event through innovative campaigns that highlight the importance and history of the Games, while also showcasing the athletes who will compete.The organizing committee is overseeing the competitions in accordance with the highest technical and organizational standards across 10 state-of-the-art sporting venues, including Aspire Dome, the Women’s Sports Hall, the Hamad Aquatic Centre, Qatar Sports Club, the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall, Al Gharafa Sports Club, the Lusail Shooting Range, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, the Qatar Bowling Federation Hall, and Al Duhail Sports Hall, ensuring a world-class hosting experience worthy of the scale of the event.These continued efforts underline the organizing committee’s determination to deliver an extraordinary edition of the 4th GCC Games “Doha 2026” one that reflects the highest standards of excellence in event management and the continued development of GCC sport.Beyond competition, this edition also aims to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among the youth of the GCC nations, promote the noble values of sport, and create a distinguished competitive atmosphere that helps discover emerging talent, refine athletic potential, and support Gulf sport’s continued rise on both the regional and international stage.Earlier, the organizing committee unveiled the official emblem of the Games, inspired by the palm tree, one of the most deeply rooted symbols of Gulf heritage and identity. The choice reflects the shared values that unite Gulf societies, including resilience, endurance, generosity, patience, and a profound connection to the land.The emblem embodies authentic Gulf identity passed down through generations. Its design features six palm fronds representing the six GCC nations, arranged in a flowing visual form that conveys the spirit of sport, while the negative space at the centre forms the number four, symbolising the fourth edition of the Games.The first edition of the GCC Games was held in Manama, Bahrain, from 11 to 22 October 2011, with participation from six GCC nations and nearly 1,500 athletes competing in 11 sports. Qatar finished third with 20 medals, including 7 gold, 11 silver, and 2 bronze.The second edition took place in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from 12 to 26 October 2015, with five GCC nations participating following Kuwait’s withdrawal. Around 1,500 athletes competed in 15 sports, with Qatar once again finishing third after winning 59 medals, including 21 gold, 22 silver, and 16 bronze.The third edition was staged in Kuwait from 16 to 31 May 2022, featuring six GCC nations and more than 1,500 athletes competing in 16 sports. Qatar placed fifth in the medal standings with a total of 52 medals, including 16 gold, 21 silver, and 15 bronze. 

Qatar Olympic Academy Launches 16th Edition of Advanced Sports Management Diploma Program

DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Academy has officially launched the 16th edition of its Advanced Sports Management Diploma Program, delivered in partnership with and accredited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Olympic Solidarity, and the International Olympic Academy, reaffirming its commitment to developing qualified sports leaders and administrators across the region.The prestigious program has attracted more than 50 participants from diverse sporting, administrative, and academic backgrounds, representing Qatar as well as several countries across the Gulf and Arab region. The cohort also includes a distinguished group of Qatari, Gulf, and Arab athletes, further enriching the program’s dynamic learning environment.The opening module of the diploma program was conducted over four days under the theme “Organizational Structures of Sports and Olympic Institutions,” providing participants with comprehensive insights into the governance frameworks and operational systems of sports organizations and Olympic bodies.The diploma consists of seven specialized modules running from April 20 through December, with participants attending in person at the Academy’s headquarters for four days each month, ensuring an intensive and interactive learning experience.The second module is scheduled to take place from May 18 to 21 under the theme of strategic planning. It will address key areas including the preparation of the strategic process, analysis of the sports organization’s internal and external environment, and the development of vision, values, mission, and strategic objectives, in addition to action planning, monitoring, and performance evaluation.Upon successful completion of all modules and submission of their final projects, participants will be awarded an official diploma certificate issued by the International Olympic Committee. The certificate will bear the signature of Kirsty Coventry, President of the IOC, as well as HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Participants will also receive individual certificates upon the completion of each module, recognizing their progress throughout the program.