Bassem Mohammed Records Season’s Best in 400m Hurdles at Stockholm Diamond League

Stockholm:  Team Qatar athlete Bassem Mohammed recorded his fastest time of the season in the men’s 400m hurdles at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting, the fifth stop of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League series.Competing in his first Diamond League appearance of the season, Bassem finished fifth with a season-best time of 48.52 seconds, continuing his steady progress against a world-class field.Brazil’s Alison dos Santos won the race in 47.11 seconds, while his compatriot Matheus Lima finished second.Bassem has enjoyed a successful season so far, having helped Qatar qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in the men’s 4x400m relay for the first time in the nation’s history after securing silver at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana last April.He also played a key role in Team Qatar’s gold medal-winning performance in the same event at the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 last month.According to the Qatar Athletics Federation’s competition programme, Bassem is scheduled to compete in several international meetings and championships throughout the season as he targets further success and improved performances ahead of the Asian Games in Japan next October.

280 Volunteers Celebrated as the Driving Force Behind the Success of the Doha 2026 GCC Games

Doha, Qatar – The Organizing Committee of the 4th GCC Games Doha 2026 paid tribute on Sunday to 280 volunteers whose dedication, passion, and professionalism helped deliver one of the most successful editions of the Gulf Games in recent history.The event hosted at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters, celebrated the volunteers who played a central role in the smooth delivery of the multi-sport event, held in Doha from 11 to 22 May. Their contribution helped create an exceptional experience for athletes, officials, and spectators while further demonstrating Qatar’s expertise in organizing major sporting events on the regional and global stage.Among those attending the event were Mr. Ahmed Al Jaber, Head of the Volunteers Committee, Ms. Hiba Ali Mohammed, Volunteers Committee Expert, and Mr. Salman Belmahdi, Volunteers Committee Coordinator.During his remarks, Mr. Ahmed Al Jaber paid tribute to the volunteer workforce, highlighting their commitment across all operational areas of the Games. From welcoming delegations and supporting athletes to assisting venue operations and spectator services, volunteers played a vital role in ensuring the event’s success.He described volunteers as the foundation of the Games’ achievements, emphasizing that their dedication, teamwork, and sense of responsibility reflected the true spirit of volunteerism and community service.Speaking on behalf of the volunteer workforce, Mr. Hassan Al Tamimi, a volunteer with a special needs , thanked the Organizing Committee for creating meaningful opportunities for participation and inclusion. He noted that the experience had strengthened the volunteers’ leadership, organizational, and technical capabilities while inspiring them to remain actively engaged in future sporting events hosted by Qatar.Volunteer Eman Mohammed Al Fawzai, a teacher at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, praised the experience as both rewarding and inspiring. She highlighted the exceptional organization of the Games and the unique opportunity to collaborate with people from different cultures and backgrounds, underscoring the power of volunteerism in fostering mutual understanding and social unity.The volunteer programme was managed through the Al Adaam Volunteer Platform, launched by the Qatar Olympic Committee as a comprehensive digital ecosystem for volunteer recruitment, workforce allocation, and event operations management.The platform forms a key pillar of Qatar’s long-term volunteer legacy strategy, supporting major sporting events including the 2026 Half Marathon, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2029, and the Doha 2030 Asian Games, while promoting sustainability, efficiency, and community engagement across the sporting sector. 

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Discusses Enhancing Sports Cooperation with Indian Ambassador

Doha: H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, received this morning at his office H.E. Shri Vipul, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the State of Qatar.During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of India and discussed ways to enhance sports cooperation between the two countries. They also explored opportunities to further develop partnerships and exchange expertise in the fields of sport and the Olympic Movement in the coming period.The meeting comes as part of the Qatar Olympic Committee’s commitment to strengthening its international relations and expanding avenues of sports cooperation in a manner that supports sports development and promotes communication and understanding among peoples. 

Team Qatar Held to Goalless Draw by El Salvador

Los Angeles: The Qatar national football team played out a goalless draw against El Salvador in an international friendly held yesterday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, United States, as part of its final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.Team Qatar will begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco before travelling to Vancouver to face Canada on June 18. They will then conclude their Group B fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.The final friendly provided Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui with another opportunity to assess his squad and fine-tune preparations ahead of the tournament. He started with Mahmoud Abu Nada in goal, while Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Issa Lai, Jassem Jaber, and Ayoub Al Alawi formed the defensive line. The midfield featured Homam Al Amin, Edmilson Junior, and Ahmed Fathi, with Akram Afif and Yousef Abdurisag leading the attack.The match marked Qatar’s final test before their second FIFA World Cup appearance, having previously participated in the 2022 edition as hosts. Team Qatar will compete in Group B at the 2026 tournament as they seek to make a stronger impact on the global stage. 

Team Qatar to Conclude World Cup Preparations with Friendly Against El Salvador

Doha: Team Qatar will play their final warm-up match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face El Salvador on Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, United States.The national team are currently continuing preparations in Santa Barbara as part of their final training camp before the tournament, aiming to reach peak readiness. Qatar previously faced Ireland in a friendly match in Dublin on May 28, suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat.The match against El Salvador will provide an important final test before Qatar begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco. They will then face Canada on June 18 in Vancouver before concluding their Group B matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.Head coach Julen Lopetegui has already announced his final 26-player squad for the tournament, featuring a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents. The squad includes Meshaal Barsham, Mahmoud Abu Nada, Salah Zakaria, Ahmed Al Janahi, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior, Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Alaa, Tahseen Mohammed, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Ayoub Al Alawi, Al Hashemi Al Hussein, Assim Madibo, Sultan Al Brake, Hassan Al Haydos, Jassem Jaber, Mohammed Manei, Lucas Mendes, Karim Boudiaf, Issa Lai, Abdulaziz Hatem, Yousef Abdurisag, Homam Al Amin, and Mohammed Muntari.The final friendly is expected to help Lopetegui settle on the starting lineup he will rely on during the World Cup, particularly after giving opportunities to several players during the Ireland match. The Spanish coach has included 12 players who are set to make their World Cup debut.Qatar, champions of the last two AFC Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023, will be looking to build momentum and gain valuable technical and psychological benefits from the El Salvador match ahead of their historic first World Cup appearance through qualification.After their group-stage exit at Qatar 2022, Team Qatar will be aiming to go a step further this time and challenge for one of the qualification spots to the knockout rounds. 

Qatar Olympic Academy Hosts Generative AI Programme for Sports Leaders

Doha : The Qatar Olympic Academy organized the “Generative AI for Leaders in Sport” programme on June 3–4 in collaboration with Google Cloud, as part of its efforts to equip sports professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.The programme attracted more than 70 participants from Qatar and abroad, representing the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, sports federations, clubs, private academies, media organizations, and technology and innovation sectors.Designed for sports leaders and decision-makers, the programme explored the growing role of generative artificial intelligence in transforming sports organizations and enhancing institutional performance. Participants gained practical insights into the use of AI in sports data analysis, fan engagement, decision-making, and innovation.Google Cloud contributed its expertise in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, providing participants with exposure to the latest technological solutions and global best practices. The programme also enabled attendees to prepare for the internationally recognized Google “Generative AI for Leaders” certification.Commenting on the initiative, Khaleel Ebrahim Al-Jaber, Executive Director of the Qatar Olympic Academy, said the programme represents an important step in preparing sports professionals to meet future challenges and capitalize on the opportunities created by digital transformation.He emphasized that artificial intelligence is becoming an essential component of modern sports management and highlighted the Academy’s commitment to promoting innovation, continuous learning, and strategic partnerships with leading global organizations.Al-Jaber added that the collaboration with Google Cloud provided participants with valuable insights into emerging technologies and their practical applications in sport, helping to strengthen leadership capabilities and support the continued development of the sports sector.The programme reflects the Qatar Olympic Academy’s ongoing commitment to developing human capital and reinforcing Qatar’s position as a regional hub for sports education, innovation, and excellence.