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2 May’ 2026
Winter Sports Development Program Kicks Off under Years of Culture Initiative (Qatar – Canada & Mexico 2026)
DOHA – The Winter Sports Development Program was launched at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena as part of the Years of Culture Initiative (Qatar – Canada & Mexico 2026), in a strategic collaboration between the Qatar Winter Sports Committee and Qatar Museums’ flagship cultural program.
Designed as a unique platform bridging sport and culture, the initiative aims to expand awareness of winter sports in Qatar while promoting international exchange, particularly with Canada and Mexico. It combines hands-on sporting experiences, interactive learning, and cultural engagement activities.
The opening ceremony carried a strong diplomatic and sporting tone, featuring the ceremonial puck drop by H.E. Mr. Karim Morcos, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar, H.E. José Guillermo Ordorica Robles, Ambassador of Mexico to Qatar, , and Mr. Majid Rashid Al-Sulaiti, President of the Qatar Winter Sports Committee, marking the start of an exhibition ice hockey game between amateur players from Qatar and Canadian residents.
The program also featured curling demonstrations and public participation sessions led by expert coaches, alongside skating workshops open to all age groups. Families enjoyed a full cultural experience, complemented by Qatari, Canadian, and Mexican culinary offerings, celebrating diversity and cultural exchange.
Mr. Al-Sulaiti expressed his delight at the strong public turnout, which exceeded expectations, highlighting the success of the collaboration with the Years of Culture initiative under Qatar Museums, chaired by H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani.
He stressed the importance of such initiatives in strengthening cultural ties between nations and confirmed that further events will continue at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in the coming period.
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Qatari Swimmer Adam Morsy Set for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
DOHA – Qatari swimmer Adam Morsy is preparing to compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in the Senegalese capital from October 31 to November 13, as part of the Qatar Olympic Committee delegation, representing Qatari swimming at the prestigious global Olympic event.The swimming competitions will run from November 1 to 6, with Morsy set to compete in three breaststroke events: the 50m, 100m and 200m. His participation reflects the Qatar Aquatics Federation’s commitment to supporting young national talents and providing them with opportunities to gain valuable technical experience and competitive exposure at major international sporting events.The Games mark an important milestone in the young swimmer’s career, offering him an opportunity to compete against some of the world’s leading young swimmers. This experience is expected to contribute to his technical development and strengthen his competitive capabilities as he prepares for future challenges.The Qatar Aquatics Federation hopes Morsy will deliver commendable performances that reflect the progress of Qatari swimming and its ambitions to develop a promising new generation of athletes capable of representing Qatar with distinction at regional and international competitions.
Qatar Olympic Academy and Aspetar Discuss Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
Doha: As part of its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with leading national institutions in the fields of sport, education, and professional development, Mr. Khaleel Ebrahim Al Jabir, Executive Director of the Qatar Olympic Academy, accompanied by a number of Academy staff members, paid a visit to Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital to explore opportunities for cooperation and develop specialized initiatives and programs that support the sports sector in the State of Qatar.The Academy delegation was received by Mr. Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi, Acting Director General of Aspetar, Dr. Paul Dijkstra, Director of Medical Education, and Mr. Khalid Al Nuaimi, Director of Communication and Marketing. During the visit, an extensive meeting was held to discuss a range of topics of mutual interest and review potential areas of future cooperation aimed at supporting and developing national talent working across both the sports and healthcare sectors.During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities to collaborate in the design and delivery of a number of educational programs and specialized training courses that combine sports, medical, and administrative disciplines. Such initiatives are expected to enhance the exchange of expertise and knowledge between the two institutions and contribute to the delivery of professional and academic programs aligned with international standards and best practices.Both sides emphasized the importance of integration between sports and medical institutions in building a comprehensive system that supports athletic performance and promotes awareness of modern sports and medical sciences, particularly in light of the rapid developments taking place within the sports industry at both regional and international levels. A number of ideas and initiatives were also reviewed as a foundation for future partnerships serving professionals and practitioners in the fields of sports medicine, rehabilitation, injury prevention, and sports management.The discussions resulted in an agreement to jointly develop and deliver a series of specialized training courses and educational programs in priority areas for the sports sector. These include sports psychology, sports injuries, injury prevention, and sports rehabilitation, and sports nutrition, with the aim of preparing qualified professionals equipped with the latest scientific knowledge and practical skills required in today’s sports environment.The two organizations also agreed to collaborate in organizing a series of Olympic and sports education workshops and awareness programs designed to promote Olympic culture and increase awareness of Olympic values and principles among various target groups. The proposed areas of cooperation further include the delivery of specialized programs in a number of shared fields, particularly sports psychology, sports injuries, and sports nutrition, helping to prepare professionals capable of engaging effectively within sports organizations and operating according to international standards and best practices.The meeting also highlighted the importance of investing in continuous education and specialized training as a cornerstone for developing professional competencies capable of keeping pace with modern developments. Opportunities for organizing joint workshops, lectures, and training programs targeting professionals working in sports and medical institutions were discussed, with a focus on facilitating the transfer of specialized knowledge and expertise.For his part, Mr. Khaleel Ebrahim Al Jabir praised Aspetar’s pioneering role at both the regional and international levels in the fields of sports medicine, scientific research, and medical rehabilitation. He emphasized that cooperation with specialized institutions represents a key pillar of the Qatar Olympic Academy’s strategy to deliver high-quality educational and training programs that enhance the capabilities of individuals and organizations operating within the sports sector.Aspetar representatives also expressed their appreciation for the role played by the Qatar Olympic Academy in promoting sports knowledge and developing national talent through its specialized academic and professional programs. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two institutions in ways that support their shared objectives and contribute to the continued advancement of sport in the State of Qatar.At the conclusion of the visit, both parties agreed to continue coordination and communication to develop practical mechanisms for implementing a number of joint programs and initiatives during the coming period. This collaboration is expected to contribute to the advancement of sports education and training, further reinforce Qatar’s position as a regional leader in sport, sports medicine, and human development, and support national efforts aimed at building a more knowledgeable, sustainable, and high-performing sports community.
Qatar’s Youth Team Gears Up for Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026
DOHA- Qatar will field four athletes at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Game Dakar 2026, in Senegal from October 31 to November 13. Team Qatar will compete in athletics, swimming and fencing.The Qatari athletes are Adam Morsi in swimming, Dana Salem and Abobaker Idris in athletics, and Adham Al-Deeb in fencing. The delegation will also include three administrative staff members and three media representatives.Morsi will begin competing on November 2, with his 100m and 50m breaststroke races scheduled for November 3 and 5, respectively. Idris will contest the 110m hurdles, Al-Deeb in the individual foil fencing event on November 9, and Salem the 200m race on November 10.The team brings a strong record of achievement. Salem won silver in the 100m and Idris claimed gold in the 110m hurdles at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. Al-Deeb won gold in the junior individual foil event at the World Cup for Junior and Cadet Fencers in Tunisia.Morsi has won gold in the 200m breaststroke at the GCC Swimming championship and the 100m breaststroke at the Arab Aquatics championship. He also broke Qatar’s national record in the 100m breaststroke for the 13–14 age group at the ISF U15 Gymnasiade 2025 Under 15 in Serbia.At the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Qatar secured two athletics gold medals through Abdulaziz Mohammed in the 200m and Awab Barrow in the 110m hurdles.The 15-day Games will take place in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, featuring around 2,700 athletes across 25 sports and 153 medal events. Another 10 engagement sports will be held without medals being awarded.Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 are an elite multi-sport competition primarily for athletes aged 15 to 17. Dakar 2026 marks the first time an African country has hosted the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, representing a historic milestone for the continent’s Olympic movement.Mr. Naji Al-Amari, Head of Qatar’s delegation, confirmed that the four athletes are ready to compete and expressed confidence that they will represent Qatar with distinction, reflecting their ambitions and the support extended to Qatari sport.Rooted in Senegal’s rich sporting heritage and strong community engagement, particularly among young people, Dakar 2026 aims to promote solidarity, cultural exchange, joy, pride and humility. The Games also seek to highlight sport as a unifying force that transcends competition and brings people together around the values of peace, friendship and social cohesion.
Suhail to light up the court as Official Mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027
DOHA - With less than a year to go until the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, Suhail has been revealed as the official mascot of the flagship men's competition in Doha, Qatar.Inspired by the main star that has guided brave people of the Gulf region to journey beyond the horizon, Suhail, which is also known as Canopus in Western culture, has watched over sailors, nomads, and pearl divers for centuries.Beneath its light, the people of Qatar and the Gulf region have crossed deserts, navigated seas, and built the foundations of nations.Unveiled in the host city of Doha, the Suhail star is a well-known natural calendar marker across the Gulf region. Traditionally associated with the transition from peak summer heat to cooler temperatures and more comfortable evenings, the star is expected to be visible in the night sky during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar.Now as the official mascot, Suhail will provide inspiration for players and fans ready to experience the many magical moments that lie in wait at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.Suhail has been created from meteorite origins. A body made of crystalline facets, fragments of a star fused with meteorite metal, and each surface catching the light and glowing with energy drawn from the sun. Suhail is a being of both sky and earth, strength from stone, brilliance from the cosmos.With official mascot Suhail ready to add an unforgettable touch and light up the biggest event in the FIBA calendar, fans are now counting the days before they can attend the flagship event.On this occasion, Mr. Abdulla Ali Al Mawlawi, Executive Director of Communications & Guest Relations at the Local Organizing Committee “The unveiling of Suhail marks an important milestone in our preparations to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, with the official mascot reflecting our commitment to showcasing Qatar’s cultural identity and celebrating its rich heritage. Inspired by the Suhail star, which holds a special place in Qatari and Gulf cultural traditions, the mascot symbolizes our connection to the past and our aspirations for the future.”He added: “We hope Suhail will help strengthen engagement with fans of all ages, and play an active role in promoting the tournament in the coming months. We are also committed to ensuring that the FIBA Basketball World Cup experience extends beyond the basketball court to encourage younger generations to take up basketball, and contribute to the sport’s growth in Qatar and across the region.