News details Media center
31 Oct’ 2026
Sheikh Joaan Inaugurates Africa’s First BAL4HER Basketball Court in Senegal
Dakar: Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), inaugurated the first BAL4HER basketball court in Africa in Guédiawaye, Senegal.
The court was established as part of a partnership between Qatar Foundation and the Basketball Africa League (BAL), providing a space for young people, particularly girls, to come together through basketball, connect with others and look towards the future.
Media Kit:
More NEWS
300 Days to Go: Official Tissot Countdown Clock unveiled for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027
DOHA, Qatar: The FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) today unveiled the official Tissot Countdown Clock, marking 300 days to go until the tournament, which Qatar will host from August 27 to September 12, 2027, featuring 32 national teams and taking place in the Middle East and North Africa for the first time.The clock was unveiled during a special ceremony held at Barahat Msheireb, attended by a large number of officials from FIBA and the Local Organizing Committee, alongside ambassadors, partners and key stakeholders, who gathered to celebrate the approaching tournament and the ongoing preparations for the event.Those on hand at the ceremony included FIBA President Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani; Vice President of the Local Organizing Committee and Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain; Director General of the Local Organizing Committee Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain; Chair of the Organizing Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Burton Shipley; and former Turkish basketball star and President of the Turkish Basketball Federation Hidayet Turkoglu, alongside other dignitaries and special guests.The clock's design reflects basketball's global appeal, featuring a giant basketball hoop and a front arch inspired by the face of a watch. Its open structure allows visitors to approach and walk through the installation, while the interconnected net pattern symbolizes the diversity of cultures and communities and basketball's unique ability to bring people together.
Qatar to Compete at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
Dakar: The fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, Dakar 2026, will take place from October 31 to November 13, with four Qatari athletes competing in athletics, swimming and fencing.Representing Team Qatar are swimmer Adam Morsy, track athletes Dana Salem and Abubakr Idris, and fencer Adham El Deeb.The swimming competitions will take place from November 1 to 6, with Morsy contesting the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. Idris will compete in the 110m hurdles, El Deeb in the individual foil, and Salem in the 200m on November 10.The Qatari athletes head into the Games with several achievements to their names. Salem won silver in the 100m, while Idris claimed gold in the 110m hurdles at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. El Deeb also secured gold in the cadet individual foil at the Junior and Cadet Fencing World Cup in Tunisia.In swimming, Morsi won gold in the 200m breaststroke at the GCC Swimming Championships and the 100m breaststroke at the Arab Aquatics Championships. He also set a Qatari record in the 13–14 age group in the 100m breaststroke at the World School Games for athletes under 15 in Serbia.At the previous Youth Olympic Games, held in Buenos Aires in 2018, Qatar won two athletics gold medals through Abdulaziz Mohammed in the 200m and Owaab Barrow in the 110m hurdles.Dakar 2026 will take place across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly over 15 days, bringing together approximately 2,700 athletes to compete in 25 sports across 153 medal events, alongside 10 engagement sports.Organised by the International Olympic Committee for athletes aged 15 to 17, the Games provide an international stage for emerging talent, encouraging sporting competition and the exchange of experiences among participants from around the world.This edition marks a historic milestone as Senegal becomes the first African country to host the Youth Olympic Games, reflecting the continued global reach of the Olympic Movement.
Adham Al Deeb Wins Silver as Qatar Impress at Asian U23 Fencing Championships 2026
Manama: Qatar national fencing team member Adham Al Deeb claimed silver in the individual foil event at the Asian Junior Fencing Championships in the Bahraini capital, Manama, after a thrilling final against the tournament’s top seed, Hong Kong’s Lau Kenji Tsun Yin. The closely contested encounter was decided by a single touch, with Lau winning 15–14.Al Deeb displayed impressive form throughout the tournament, reaching the final against the leading title contender in a match that remained fiercely competitive until the last touch. His silver medal marks an important achievement for Qatari fencing at the continental level, demonstrating the ability of Qatar’s athletes to challenge Asia’s best and compete for medals.
Hidayet Turkoglu to Mark 300 Days to Go to FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027
DOHA (Qatar) – FIBA Hall of Fame member Hidayet Turkoglu is scheduled to visit Qatar as the country marks 300 days to go to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. The Turkish Basketball Federation President will visit at the invitation of the tournament’s Local Organizing Committee, with a program expected to include the Tissot Countdown Clock unveiling as well as engagements with the Qatar Turkish School students and basketball fans.One of Türkiye’s most celebrated sporting figures, Turkoglu became the first player from the country to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2026.He helped Türkiye claim silver medals at FIBA EuroBasket 2001 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010, held in Türkiye. Across 15 NBA seasons, he reached the 2009 NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic and received the NBA Most Improved Player award for the 2007–08 season.