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18 Feb’ 2024
Five past champions in challenging quest for Qatar ExxonMobil Open title
Doha: A star cast comprising five former champions is on parade as the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2024, a signature event on the ATP Tour calendar, takes off today at the impressive Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Two-time former champion Andy Murray and 2020 winner Andrey Rublev are in the race for the Golden Falcon trophy, as are former title winners Richard Gasquet (2013), Gael Monfils(2018), and two-time champion Roberto Bautista Agut (2019 and 2022).
Going by the result of Saturday's draw, Murray, the 2008 and 2009 champion, could face top seed and the winner of the 2020 edition, Andrey Rublev, in the quarterfinals of the tournament. While the tournament's top seed Rublev got a bye into the Round of 16, Murray, on the other hand, will kick start his quest to be the second three-time winner in Doha, after Swiss sensation Roger Federer, with a first-round match against a qualifier.
Second seed Karen Khachanov, No.3 seed Ugo Humbert, and fourth seed Alexander Bublik will also start their journeys in the second round.
Gasquet and Monfils, both of whom are wild card entrants, will take on Kazakhstan’s World No.57 Alexander Shevchenko, and Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp, respectively, in their opening matches.
In the meantime, Bautista Agut will take on Marton Fucsovics in his first match.
The 2024 edition promises to provide thrills and excitement to fans until the winner walks away with a prize of $212,300 and 250 crucial ATP ranking points on February 24.
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Strong Start to Third Leg of West Asia Beach Volleyball Tour
DOHA, Qatar - The third leg of the 2026 West Asia Beach Volleyball Tour for men and women got off to a strong start on Sunday, with Qatar hosting the competition from October 5 to 8 at Al Gharafa Beach Courts.The tournament features 15 teams representing five countries — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon — in a highly competitive field.In the men’s competition, Qatar 2, represented by Saif Al Deen Al Majeed and Mahmoud Essam, opened their campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Wafi Al Jasser and Ali Al Awami, winning 21-11, 21-15.In the same group, top-seeded Lebanon 1, represented by Hadi Al Shabib and Jad Abi Karam, also secured a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Wafi Al Jasser and Ali Al Awami, prevailing 21-8, 21-17.In Group A, Bahrain 1, featuring Khalid Abdullah and Ali Yaqoub, defeated Qatar 1, represented by Mousa Al Khair and Mohammed Ehab, 2-1.Bahrain 1 continued their winning run with a 2-0 victory over Kuwait’s Barak Khasrouh and Ibrahim Ahmed, winning 21-11, 21-10.In the women’s competition, Lebanon 1, represented by Mervat Hamza and Nour Hamza, defeated Kuwait’s Alaa Al Bahouh and Halima Rashid 2-0, winning both sets 21-12, in Group A.In Group B, Lebanon 2, represented by Mirna Sheikho and Lara Al Nahi, defeated Qatar 4’s Aisha Al Alawi and Nelly Amr 2-0, winning 21-10, 21-5.Also in Group B, Bahrain’s Munira Suleiman and Fatima Al Bouzaid defeated Qatar 3’s Malak Hashem and Shaghaf Ismail 2-1, winning 16-21, 21-14, 18-16.In Group A, Qatar 1, represented by Haya Abu Issa and Laila Mohammed, defeated fellow Qatari pair Lamis Al Salman and Dana Abu Aita 2-0 in an all-Qatar encounter, winning 21-11, 21-14.Qatar 1 later suffered a narrow 2-0 defeat to Lebanon 1, represented by Mervat Hamza and Nour Hamza, with both sets ending 22-20.
International Olympic Committee Name Qatar as Interested Party to Host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Doha- Qatar has been confirmed as an interested party to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.Revealing the next steps in the 2036 bid process, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a handbook for potential hosts, along with the confirmed list of interested parties hoping to make it through each stage of a revised selection process.Welcoming the confirmation, Fatima Al Kuwari, CEO of the Doha 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee, said: “It is no secret that Qatar has shown an ambition to bid for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today that ambition has been justified by the IOC’s confirmation that Qatar has been named as an interested party.
Strong Crowd Engagement at Mizuho Stadium
Aichi-Nagoya - Qatar captured the spotlight during the Closing Ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Japan, where it received the flag as host of the 21st Asian Games in 2030.The artistic performance, which drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, featured The Games We Live For film and the Return of an Old Friend segment, creating a link between Doha 2006, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and the journey towards Doha 2030.The Games We Live For, the slogan of Doha 2030, reflects the ambitions of athletes, people and nations, and the shared sporting experiences that bring Asia together.Qatar made a striking impression through a showcase of its identity and culture. Dana Al Meer performed the Qatari national anthem live to an enthusiastic reception from the audience, while Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim received the Asian Games flag wearing traditional Qatari attire. Qatari rider Jassim Al Kuwari then entered the stadium on horseback carrying the flag, evoking memories of the iconic scene from the Opening Ceremony of the Doha 2006 Asian Games. Together, these elements reflected Qatar’s identity and culture and underlined its readiness to host an exceptional edition of the Asian Games.The new Doha 2030 identity places the Olympic Council of Asia sun inside the letter “O” in “DOHA”, symbolizing the special place the Asian Games hold in the city of Doha.H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee, said Team Qatar’s achievements at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games represented a significant and proud accomplishment, noting that the Qatari delegation won 18 medals, the country’s highest Asian Games tally since Guangzhou 2010.He said: “We achieved an outstanding result at Aichi-Nagoya by winning 18 medals. The diversity of these medals reflects the progress of Qatari sport. We won medals across 10 different sports, while three sports — padel, wrestling and karate — were added to Qatar’s Asian Games medal record for the first time. This diversity confirms that our work is moving in the right direction and that there is clear progress in the level of our athletes across different sports.”
QOC Secretary General: Qatar’s Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Participation Delivers Strong Results and Gains for Doha 2030
Nagoya: H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, affirmed that Qatar’s participation in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which concluded yesterday in Japan, was positive and achieved its intended objectives, both on the sporting front through the impressive results achieved by the national teams, and on the promotional and cultural fronts through the strong presence of Bayt Qatar in Nagoya.Speaking following the conclusion of the Games, H.E. Al Buenain said Qatar’s participation was not solely aimed at achieving results and competing for medals, but also formed part of the strategic plan to prepare the national teams for upcoming events, foremost among them the 21st Asian Games Doha 2030, helping to develop the teams and strengthen their ability to compete at the highest level in Doha.Al Buenain explained that participation in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 represented an important milestone in the national teams’ preparations for Doha 2030. He noted that the Qatar Olympic Committee and national sports federations were keen to combine experienced athletes with emerging young talents, providing the latter with opportunities to develop and gain experience through participation in major competitions, with the aim of building a strong pool of athletes capable of representing the national teams and competing in future events.He added that the results marked an achievement not seen since the 2010 Asian Games, with Qatar winning medals across 10 different sports for the first time and claiming a total of 18 medals. He stressed that these impressive results at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 were the result of the guidance of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, collective efforts, as well as the continuous monitoring and follow-up of a dedicated working team established by the QOC in coordination with the national federations.The QOC Secretary General pointed to several positive indicators from Qatar’s participation, including winning medals for the first time in some sports, such as padel, as well as the return of other sports to the Asian Games podium, including karate, wrestling and weightlifting. He said this reflected the broadening of Qatar’s competitive base and the progress achieved across several sports.H.E. Al Buenain also praised the results achieved by Qatar’s national teams in team sports, saying that they made a strong impact, with the handball, beach volleyball and 3x3 basketball teams all winning medals, reflecting Qatar’s continued presence in team competitions and the ability of its national teams to compete at the continental level.Al Buenain also highlighted the widespread praise received by Bayt Qatar during the Games, noting that it served as a platform to showcase Qatari culture, heritage and identity, while also providing a space for engagement with fans and participating delegations.He noted that Bayt Qatar welcomed nearly 5,000 visitors during the Games, with an average daily attendance of around 250 visitors, in addition to members of the Qatari delegation and guests attending the reception organised by the Qatar Olympic Committee.The QOC Secretary General said the strong attendance reflected the interest generated by Bayt Qatar and underlined the importance of using sport as a means of bringing people closer together, while showcasing Qatar’s rich cultural heritage and its capabilities in hosting and organising major sporting events.H.E. Al Buenain extended his thanks and appreciation to all members of the Qatar Olympic Committee delegation at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, noting that the results achieved were the product of the collective efforts of the entire delegation, together with the cooperation and coordination of the national federations.He expressed his appreciation to the administrative delegation, which faced numerous challenges during the Games while remaining committed to ensuring the comfort and needs of Qatar’s athletes, and praised them for their considerable efforts. He also thanked the media delegation for their outstanding coverage of the Games.H.E. Al Buenain also thanked and commended the Bayt Qatar delegation, which he said not only represented the Qatar Olympic Committee with distinction, but also reflected a positive image of the State of Qatar at major events and international gatherings. He also thanked the Doha 2030 Asian Games delegation, which was present in Nagoya to observe the organisation and preparations for the Games, noting that their responsibility now begins as preparations move forward towards hosting the event in Doha in 2030.Concluding his remarks, H.E. Al Buenain stressed that the assessment of Qatar’s participation in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 should not be limited to the medal tally, but should also take into account the experience gained by the athletes, the emergence of promising young talents, the progress achieved across several sports, and the strengthening of Qatar’s sporting and cultural presence across Asia, in line with preparations for the next phase leading up to the Doha 2030 Asian Game.