Doha hosts FIG Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee Meeting

Doha: Qatar continues to strengthen its leading position on the global sports map after the Qatar Gymnastics Federation received renewed confidence from the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to host the Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee meeting (men and women) for the second consecutive year.The meeting will take place in Doha from 7 to 10 February, with the participation of a distinguished group of experts and officials responsible for the development of artistic gymnastics from around the world.This event comes as a continuation of the growing international trust placed in Qatar by the International Gymnastics Federation, particularly following the significant success achieved by Doha in hosting the FIG Trampoline Gymnastics Technical Committee meeting from 4 to 9 December last year. This success reflects Qatar’s advanced standing in organizing and hosting international technical meetings.In this context, Mr. Ali Al-Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, affirmed that hosting the meeting for the second consecutive year represents a source of great pride for the federation and for Qatari sport as a whole. He noted that this renewed confidence reflects the high level of professionalism within the federation, as well as the strong support extended to sport by the wise leadership.Al-Hitmi said: “We highly value the trust of the International Gymnastics Federation and consider it a major responsibility to continue developing the gymnastics system in Qatar and strengthening our presence on the international stage, in a manner that serves the sport at both regional and global levels.”This continued momentum underscores Qatar’s advanced sports infrastructure and world-class facilities, alongside its proven track record in hosting major championships, training camps, and international meetings—further cementing Doha’s status as one of the world’s leading sporting capitals. 

Third Edition of the HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship begins

Doha: The third edition of the HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship officially got underway today, Friday, at the Lusail Shooting Ranges, and will continue until 13 February, with a strong participation of 315 shooters representing 38 countries.Today’s programme featured the official training sessions for the Skeet competition across the four categories: men, women, juniors, and youth.Qatari shooters delivered solid performances during today’s training, setting their sights on victory in tomorrow’s and the following day’s competitions and aiming for podium finishes. Among the أبرز participants in the men’s category were Massoud Saleh Al-Athba, Rashid Saleh Al-Athba, Abdulaziz Al-Attiyah, Ali Al-Ishaq, and Hamad Al-Mukhannis. In the women’s category, participants included Reem Al-Sharshani, Aisha Al-Ansari, Rahma Al-Marri, Amina Al-Mansouri, Hajar Mohammed, Sara Mohammed, and Luluwa Hamad.A total of 144 male and female shooters are competing in the Skeet event, while 198 shooters are taking part in the Trap competition. The Qatari national team is represented by 52 shooters.The official Skeet competitions will begin tomorrow, Saturday, across five ranges, with shooters contesting 75 targets over three rounds. The competition will continue on Sunday with two additional rounds of 50 targets, at 25 targets per round. The top eight shooters will then qualify for the final round, where they will compete for the top three positions, followed by the medal ceremony.Following the conclusion of the Skeet event, the Trap competitions will commence across five ranges in the four categories (men, women, juniors, and youth). Unofficial training will take place on Monday, followed by official training sessions on Tuesday. The competitions will be held on Wednesday, with shooters competing over 125 targets across two days—75 targets on the first day over three rounds, and 50 targets on the second day over two rounds. The top eight shooters will advance to the final round to determine the top three finishers. The championship will conclude with the medal ceremony for the Trap competition on Thursday.A total of 12 referees are officiating the championship, including seven Qatari referees and five referees from sister countries. The total prize money amounts to USD 122,000. The first-place finisher will receive USD 9,000, the second-place finisher USD 7,000, and the third-place finisher USD 5,000 in each competition, in both the men’s and women’s categories. 

Sheikh Joaan attends IOC President’s Welcome Dinner in Milan

Milan: H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attended the welcome dinner hosted yesterday by Mrs. Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, in the Italian city of Milan, on the sidelines of the 145th IOC Session.The session was held in the city of Milan and brought together presidents of national Olympic committees, members of the International Olympic Committee, and presidents of international sports federations.The dinner provided an opportunity to exchange views on a number of issues related to Olympic affairs, within the framework of the side meetings accompanying the IOC Session, which contribute to strengthening communication and coordination among sports leaders at the international level.The dinner was also attended by H.E. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Foundation and a member of the IOC Education Commission. 

Reed and Hillier show fine form to share Qatar Masters lead

Doha: Patrick Reed continued his stunning start to the season to share the first-round lead with Daniel Hillier at the 2026 Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club course on Thursday.A much less windier day than what usually is for the event in Doha meant that the golfers had a less field day. But a predicted windy Friday could add some twist.American Reed, the 2018 Masters Champion recorded his fourth DP World Tour win at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago and was only denied another in a play-off at last week’s Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.Kiwi Hillier, for his part, goes into the week fifth on the Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World after four top-six finishes in his five events so far including second place at the Dubai Invitational and a tie for fourth in Bahrain - and the pair shared top spot here on seven under par after rounds of 65.Reed hit the ground running with three straight birdies to start his round. A bogey and another birdie meant his first par did not come until his sixth hole, the 15th, and he had only two in an outward nine of 31 thanks to further gains at the 16th and 17th. He birdied the first, fourth and seventh before a bogey at the eighth left him tied with Hillier.The American said: "I hit the ball pretty well, especially early in the round, a lot of my birdies were just kind of kick-ins which is always nice, not having to think too much around there."The golf course, especially when it’s windy like this, it requires a lot of shot-making – you have to work the ball both ways, or flight things down, or take it up in the air. That’s the kind of golf I like."I like to get creative when I’m out there and a golf course like this with a lot of doglegs and cross-winds, it allows you to do that. It’s just one of these places that kind of suits my eye.” Hillier also started from the tenth with a pair of birdies, with another at the 16th taking him out in 33.The New Zealander picked up another three in four holes from the third and after his only bogey of the day at the eighth, a closing eagle provided the perfect finish to his round."Yeah, that was nice,” he said. "I was a little frustrated with a soft bogey there on (my 17th hole) but nice to get a couple back at the end."My game’s feeling really good so I’m just trying to ride the wave, I guess.”There was a Scandinavian flavour to the chasing pack, with Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult, Dane Jacob Skov Olesen and Finland’s Oliver Lindell all at six under. late in the day by Spain’s Angel Ayora and Italy’s Gregorio De Leo, the latter ending his round with a bogey at the ninth hole to deny him a share of the lead.Another Swede, Joakim Lagergren, was five under alongside New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori.David Micheluzzi provided one of the highlights of the day with a hole-in-one at the third hole. The Australian was one under par for his round.It was a landmark day for the Ireland’s three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington, who made his 500th start on the DP World Tour and was presented with a silver platter by tournament director Mikael Eriksson to mark the occasion.Harrington also shot a one-under-par 71, with birdies at the ninth and tenth offset by a bogey at the 15th.Play was suspended for the night with four groups still to complete their rounds. Adri Arnaus and Francesco Laporta, both at two under, were the leading players among the 12 with holes still to play. 

Philippine International School, GEMS American Academy, The Lebanese School, and Global Academy Secure Spots in Mini Basketball World Cup 2025–2026 Semifinals

DOHA – The quarterfinals of the Mini Basketball World Cup for the 2025–2026 season, held  Wednesday at the Qatar Basketball Federation courts, saw four school teams advance to the semifinals following highly competitive and thrilling matches.The Philippine International School booked its place in the semifinals with an 80–66 victory over Al Andalus Private School, while GEMS American Academy – Qatar secured its spot after narrowly defeating DPS Modern Indian School 57–52. The Lebanese School shone with a decisive 83–37 win over Edison Global Academy – Lusail, and Global Academy International – Muaither clinched the final semifinal berth following a hard-fought 69–67 victory against Lycée Français Bonaparte – Doha.The semifinals will take place on 11 February 2026, with the Philippine International School facing GEMS American Academy in the first semifinal, and the Lebanese School going up against Global Academy International – Muaither in the second. The winners will meet in the final on 30 April at Aspire Academy, coinciding with the closing of the schools Olympic program season.Reflecting on his team’s advancement, Adam Merrick, coach of GEMS American Academy – Qatar, expressed pride in the technical and skillful performance of his players during the quarterfinal match. He highlighted that their play reflected the team’s hard work, focus, and tactical discipline.Coach Merrick added that the team’s ambitions extend beyond simply reaching the semifinals, emphasizing their determination to continue their journey toward the final, fully prepared to face the next challenge with a winning mindset and a spirit of competition.The Mini Basketball World Cup represents a pioneering sports and educational experience, organized for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa under the supervision of FIBA, in collaboration with the Qatar Basketball Federation and the Qatar School Sports Federation. The championship follows an innovative competitive model inspired by the atmosphere of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.This tournament provides players, school administrators, schools, and coaches with a comprehensive experiential and practical opportunity that mirrors the structure of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027."This tournament is part of the schools Olympic program for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 seasons, reflecting a comprehensive vision that combines high-level competition with educational and ethical values. It aims to cultivate a generation of sports-conscious students capable of carrying forward Qatar’s basketball legacy, while promoting sports as a bridge for human connection and fostering friendships across cultures. 

Qatar Winter Sports Committee Holds Ordinary General Assembly to Approve 2026 Program Plan

DOHA The Qatar Winter Sports Committee held its Ordinary General Assembly meeting on Sunday afternoon, 1 February 2026, at Al Zubarah Hall at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee.The meeting was chaired by Mr. Rashid Majed Al-Sulaiti, President of the Qatar Winter Sports Committee, and attended by Mr. Hassan Hisham Al-Habbabi, Secretary-General; Mr. Hamad Salah Al-Bakir, Assistant Secretary-General; Mr. Ahmed Ali Al-Jaber, Board Member; in addition to Mr. Khalifa Jabr Al-Nuaimi, representative of the Sports Affairs Department at the Qatar Olympic Committee.The Assembly reviewed and discussed the approved agenda items, during which the financial report was formally endorsed following a comprehensive review of the accounts and approved budgets for 2025.The meeting also approved the Committee’s strategic plans and programs for 2026, including preparations, activities, and upcoming initiatives related to participation in championships and sporting events—efforts aimed at strengthening the presence of Qatari winter sports on both the regional and international stages.In addition, the Assembly approved the membership of former athlete Ms. Mubarakah Salem Al-Abdullah as a member of the General Assembly, in recognition of her experience and contribution to supporting the continued development of winter sports in Qatar.