HH the Amir attends FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 closing ceremony

Doha: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the closing ceremony of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 at Lusail Stadium on Thursday evening.The closing ceremony was attended by HH Personal Representative of HH the Amir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani.Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, along with a number of Their Excellecies Sheikhs and Ministers also attended the closing ceremony.Also present were HRH Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, President of FIFA HE Gianni Infantino, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) HE Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, and Minister of Sports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President of the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud.The ceremony was also attended by a number of senior officials from fraternal and friendly countries, heads of delegations, heads of Olympic committees and Arab and international federations, Their Excellencies the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the state, and a large audience.HH the Amir handed over the championship trophy to the Moroccan team, who secured the title after a 3-2 victory over Jordan.

Qatar to host 3 International Weightlifting Championships

Doha:  The Qatar Weightlifting Federation is preparing to host three international championships starting the day after tomorrow, Saturday, and running until 27 December. These include the 10th Qatar Cup 2025, organized by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation; the Arab Weightlifting Championship for youth, juniors and seniors, held under the supervision of the Arab Weightlifting Federation; and the West Asian Weightlifting Championship, organized by the West Asia Weightlifting Federation across the same age categories.Around 252 male and female lifters from various age groups will take part in the competitions, with most participating countries fielding both men’s and women’s teams, while a few countries are represented by men’s teams only.The Qatar Cup will feature athletes from 25 countries, while 19 countries will participate in the Arab Championship, and 12 countries in the West Asian Championship.The championships will see the participation of a number of Olympic medallists, which is expected to raise the level of competition and motivate all athletes to deliver their best performances. Among the participants are Olympic champion Fares Ibrahim, who won an Olympic medal at Tokyo 2020; Iran’s Kianoush Rostami, an Olympic medallist at Rio 2016; and Syrian lifter Man Asaad, who claimed the bronze medal at the same Games.A total of 36 international referees accredited by the International Weightlifting Federation will officiate the three championships.Team Qatar will be represented across the three events by six male and female athletes competing in six different weight categories: Fares Ibrahim, Fares Ahmed Jaber, Nader Mohammed Bakr, Abdullah Al Hashemi, Ouissal Ikhlef, and Sara Al Qassibi.Team Qatar weightlifting is aiming to compete strongly for medals. These championships also represent a valuable opportunity to prepare and equip weightlifters for a new phase of Olympic qualification, particularly those leading to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, in addition to preparations for the 2026 qualifying edition of the Qatar Cup.In this context, H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation, and President of the Qatari, Arab, Asian and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations, said:“We are proud to host this major sporting event, which brings together elite athletes from across the region in weightlifting competitions that reaffirm Qatar’s advanced position on the global sports map.”He added: “Organizing three championships simultaneously over a short period reflects the scale of our ambitions to develop this sport and support its champions. We are committed to providing the best possible conditions for the participating teams through close coordination with all relevant stakeholders. We also emphasize the importance of these championships in strengthening the competitive spirit of athletes and preparing them for major international competitions, particularly the upcoming Olympic qualifiers.”Al Mana explained that the three championships are being held with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who has provided unlimited support, adding: “We will continue our journey towards achieving Qatar’s ambitious sports vision in weightlifting at both continental and international levels.”

PSG beat Flamengo to clinch Intercontinental Cup

Doha: Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov emerged as the unlikely hero as Paris Saint-Germain edged a resilient Flamengo to win the Intercontinental Cup, sealing their sixth trophy of the season after a dramatic penalty shootout at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday.Safonov, preferred again, with regular goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier still regaining fitness from an ankle injury, saved an astonishing four penalties as PSG triumphed 2-1 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The 26-year-old Russian’s heroics ensured the Parisians ended a glittering year on the highest possible note.Already crowned Ligue 1 champions and winners of the Coupe de France, the Trophee des Champions, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup, Luis Enrique’s side became only the third club to complete a sextuple, after Barcelona in 2009 and Bayern Munich in 2020.Before last night, no French side had won the Intercontinental Cup, which was contested for over four decades until 2004, when it was rebranded as the Club World Cup. FIFA revived the competition last year following the revamp of the Club World Cup into a 32-team summer tournament. PSG had lost to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final in the United States in July, having won their maiden Champions League title in May.By no stretch of the imagination was it a smooth sailing for PSG on the night. South American champions Flamengo pushed the Parisians to the limit, matching them stride for stride before Safonov’s brilliance from the spot finally settled the contest.“We're proud of ourselves, we played a very, very good match, a very good final, against a good team that played with a lot of intensity,” said PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery. “I hope we can continue like this throughout the season. This team has a lot of character; we're showing that we're a team, a collective. That's what the coach wanted when he arrived here. He has always emphasised that to us: the collective comes first. It shows our strength, the kind of team we are.”Much of the pre-match focus centred on whether newly-crownedFIFA Best Player award winner Ousmane Dembele would start after having been sidelined in the last two matches due to illness. Ultimately, he began on the bench, as did Chevalier, with Safonov retaining his place in goal.PSG asserted their authority early, dominating possession and pinning Flamengo deep in their own half. Lee Kang-in tested the Brazilian side inside three minutes, while Joao Neves soon followed with another probing effort. The Parisians thought they had struck in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz slotted the ball into the net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi mishandled a clearance, but VAR ruled that the ball had already crossed the line earlier in the move.Rossi was again involved in a decisive moment eight minutes before half-time. Desire Doue’s low cross appeared to have too much pace, but the Argentine keeper diverted it straight to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who reacted quickest to tuck home from close range and give PSG a deserved 1-0 lead.Flamengo, however, returned with renewed intent after the break. PSG became increasingly passive, and the equaliserarrived just after the hour when skipper Marquinhos clipped Giorgian de Arrascaeta inside the area. Following a VAR review, former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho sent Safonov the wrong way with a stuttering run-up to make it 1-1.Dembele was introduced with 12 minutes of regulation time remaining as PSG searched for a winner. The clearest chance fell to Marquinhos, but the defender sliced wide from inside the six-yard box, sending the final into extra time.Both sides had opportunities to settle it in the additional period. Flamengo substitute Luiz Araujo snatched at a chance, while Dembele scooped one wide from close range. With no decisive blow landed, penalties were required.Flamengo converted their opening kick through Nicolas de la Cruz, but that proved to be their only success. Safonov denied Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira, and Araujo in succession, displaying remarkable composure and anticipation as Flamengo’s hopes evaporated. Even missed attempts by Dembele and Bradley Barcola did not cost PSG.When the final save was made, teammates swarmed Safonov in celebration. 

Qatari National Handball Team Defeat Saudi Arabia in Friendly

Doha: The Qatari national handball team defeated their Saudi counterparts 31-25 on Wednesday in their second friendly match in preparation for the 22nd Asian Men's Handball Championship, which will be held in Kuwait from January 15-26.The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Men's Handball Championship in Germany.The Saudi team had won the first friendly match between the two teams two days ago, 26-25.The Qatari team are aiming to reach peak readiness before the Asian Championship, where they have been drawn into Group A alongside South Korea and Oman. Group B consists of Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan; Group C includes Kuwait, the UAE, Hong Kong, and India; and Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.The top two teams from each group qualify for the main round, which will consist of eight teams divided into two groups playing a round-robin format.The top two teams from each of these groups will advance to the semifinals, along with the team that qualifies directly for the 2027 World Championship.The Qatari national handball team aim to defend their Asian title, which they won in the last six editions, and qualify for the World Championship for the eleventh time in their history. Their best result in the World Championship was second place in the 2015 edition (Qatar 2015).The Qatari team won the most recent (21st) Asian Men's Handball Championship, held in Bahrain last year, after defeating Japan 30-24 in the final. 

Saudi Arabia claim AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 title

Doha: Saudi Arabia have been crowned champions of the AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025, after claiming a 2-0 win over Iraq in the final match held at Stadium 974 in Doha on Tuesday.Thetournament took place in Qatar from December 4–16, bringing together rising U-23 football stars from across the region to compete for the prestigious title. This was the first time that the competition was held under the auspices of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).“The U-23 Gulf Cup is part of a thrilling football season in the country, with Qatar making history by hosting numerous tournaments consecutively. The successful delivery of this tournament once again showcased Qatar’s commitment towards supporting emerging football talents from the region, while uniting fans to celebrate our shared passion for football. Congratulations to all the players who took part, and to Saudi Arabia for clinching the trophy,” said Jassim Sultan al-Rumaihi, AGCFF Secretary General.The AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 featured a total of 14 matches played on state-of-the-art pitches at Aspire Zone, that most recently served as a venue for a historic edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. Prior to the tournament, Qatar also hosted the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 that saw Saudi Arabia lift the trophy.The AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 is part of an exhilarating football calendar in Qatar, which also includes the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 taking place from 1-18 December, as well as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 on 10, 13, and 17 December, reflecting Qatar’s ongoing capability to host world-class sporting events. 

PSG and France forward Dembele named FIFA men's player of the year in Doha

 Doha: Paris St Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele was named FIFA men's player of the year in Doha on Tuesday with Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati winning the women's award for the third year in a row.Dembele was instrumental in PSG's first Champions League triumph when they beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the final and scored 35 goals last season across all competitions, including 21 in Ligue 1 to finish as top scorer.The 28-year-old, who won this year's Ballon d'Or in September, was part of the PSG team which also swept all before them on the domestic front last season and reached the final of the Club World Cup.Bonmati, the Champions League player of the season, also won the women's Ballon d'Or for the third time in a row this year, and helped Barcelona win the domestic treble along with reaching the Champions League final.The 27-year-old also reached the Euro 2025 final with Spain, losing the decider to England on penalties, and Bonmati was named Player of the Tournament.Sarina Wiegman won the best women's coach award for the fifth time after leading England to retain their European Championship title, and Luis Enrique won the men's coach award after taking Paris St Germain to their first Champions League win.The best women's goalkeeper award went to England and Chelsea's Hannah Hampton who played a major role in the Lionesses' Euro 2025 win with her penalty shootout saves and also won the domestic treble with her club.Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma, who now plays for Manchester City, won the men's keeper award for his role in Paris St Germain's treble win.Mexico's Lizbeth Ovalle won the FIFA Marta Award, for the best goal in women's football, for her scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in March.Santiago Montiel won the Puskas Award for the best men's goal for his overhead strike for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia during an Argentine Primera match in May.