Sanders fires opening round of 72 at DGC

Doha: England’s Andrew Sanders fired an opening round of 72 to take the first-round lead at the 40th Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship, which got underway at the Doha Golf Club (DGC) on Thursday.In a field of 90 players competing over three days, Sanders set the early pace in the singles stroke-play format, finishing level par to hold a two-shot advantage over Slovakia’s Jakub Hrinda, who carded a 74. Australia’s Andrew Extrems was a further two shots back in third.Britain’s Dean Morris finished fourth after posting a five-over-par round, tied alongside Australia’s Cam Craner and England’s Callum Fitzgerald in a closely contested chasing group.Among the home contingent, Qatar’s defending champion Saleh Al Kaabi led the way, finishing seventh on 79, seven strokes over par, tied with Ireland’s Scott Holland Flynn and South Africa’s Franco Rabbi. Fellow Qatari Waqas Al-Balushi rounded out the top 10 with a score of 80.Rising prospect Daniel Sokolov placed 14th after an opening round of 82, while Abdulaziz Al-Buainain and Fahad Mir shared 23rd position on 86. Jaham Al-Kuwari finished 29th, tied with Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani and Kamil Bourqia.The tournament continues today with the second round, after which the top 50 players will progress to the final day.The championship winner will secure a coveted place in the Qatar Masters, adding further incentive in one of Qatar’s leading amateur events. 

QOC Athletics Commission holds General Assembly Meeting

DOHA – The Athletes Commission of the Qatar Olympic Committee held its Ordinary General Assembly meeting 2026 today at Al Wajba Hall, located at the QOC’s building.The meeting was chaired by Mutaz Essa Barshim, Secretary-General of the Commission, in the presence of Nada Mohammed Wafa, Assistant Secretary-General of the Athletes Commission, along with members of the General Assembly and a representative of the Qatar Olympic Committee.During the meeting, members approved the minutes of the previous session and reviewed the Board of Directors’ report on its activities over the past year. Discussions also covered the objectives for the coming year and future action plans. The final accounts for the previous financial year were approved in line with the auditor’s report, and the proposed budget was reviewed and endorsed.Committee members also exchanged a range of development-focused proposals aimed at enhancing the technical performance of athletes and addressing the challenges they face on both personal and administrative levels. Emphasis was placed on the importance of organizing workshops and awareness programs to strengthen sports culture, while creating an ideal environment that supports athletes’ presence and development, enabling them to achieve further success at both continental and international levels. 

Qatar 3×3 Team Sets Off for Singapore to Compete in Asia Cup

DOHA – Qatar’s 3×3 national basketball team has departed for Singapore to take part in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, taking place from April 1 to 5, 2026.The tournament brings together top Asian teams in both men’s and women’s competitions, highlighting the rapid growth and rising level of 3×3 basketball across the continent.Qatar’s participation comes as part of its ongoing preparations to compete at the highest level in one of Asia’s premier 3×3 events. The competition also features strong Arab representation, including teams from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity in the region.The Qatari delegation is led by Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, alongside Yaseen Ismail, Director of the 3×3 National Teams. The team is coached by Marco, who aims to guide the players toward a strong and competitive performance.Qatar’s squad includes four players: Mohammed Hashem Zidan, Mubarak Jama, Dejan Janic, and Nedim Muslic. The team will be looking to deliver an impressive showing and reflect the steady progress of Qatar basketball in the 3×3 format.Qatar will begin its campaign in Group D on April 3, facing India in its opening match, before taking on New Zealand later the same day. The match against New Zealand is expected to be a key test, given their strength and experience in 3×3 competitions.The tournament features 22 teams from across Asia, including Mongolia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Tonga, Thailand, Turkmenistan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Macau, Maldives, and Qatar. 

Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation holds General Assembly, Sets Sights on Upcoming Competitions

DOHA – The Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation (QTJKF) convened its Ordinary General Assembly on Monday, chaired by Mr. Eid Ali Al-Meraikhi, with the attendance of Mr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Misnad, Secretary General, members of the federation, and a representative of the Qatar Olympic Committee, at its headquarters in Al Dafna.The assembly approved the minutes of the previous meeting and ratified the financial and technical reports. Discussions also focused on upcoming commitments and major sporting events on the federation’s calendar.Mr. Al-Meraikhi commended the members’ administrative and organizational efforts, emphasizing the federation’s steady progress in advancing athletes’ technical and performance standards. He also announced the appointment of a distinguished international karate coach, who will officially begin his role on 13 April, reinforcing the federation’s commitment to excellence at both continental and global levels. 

Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup Begins Today in Doha

DOHA – The Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup, part of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, gets underway on Thursday at the prestigious Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, and will continue for four days.The championship will feature more than 170 riders, including top-ranked athletes representing 21 countries, competing across one- to five-star categories for a total prize purse of €784,000.The opening day includes four classes in the one- and five-star categories, with jump heights ranging from 110 cm to 150 cm.Competitions will intensify on the second and third days, with eight classes scheduled. These include events in the one-, three-, and five-star categories at various heights, alongside two classes dedicated to Future Riders and Juniors.The fourth and final day will showcase three-star and five-star competitions, highlighted by the Grand Prix events. Riders will compete in the three-star Grand Prix at a height of 150 cm and the five-star Grand Prix at 160 cm, both featuring jump-off rounds to determine the winners.The championship is organized by the Qatar Equestrian Federation in cooperation with Al Shaqab and the Qatar Olympic Committee.The event is supported by several partners, including Qatar Calendar and Doha Bank as official partners, Hamad Medical Corporation as the medical partner, Al Abdulghani Motors as the transport partner, Al Kass Sports Channels as the broadcast partner, Education Above All as the humanitarian partner, the Equine Veterinary Medical Center as the official veterinary partner, and Prime Power as a supporting partner. 

Qatar U20 Football Team Held to Draw by Saudi Arabia in Friendly

Doha: Qatar’s U20 national football team played out a 1–1 draw against Saudi Arabia in an international friendly match held the day before yesterday in Al Ahsa. The match comes as part of the team’s preparations for the qualifiers of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027.The fixture forms part of both teams’ preparation programs for upcoming competitions, as the technical staff aim to enhance the players’ physical and technical readiness. It also provides an opportunity to assess a wider pool of players ahead of the upcoming continental qualifiers.