Qatar settle for silver at Asian handball Championship

Kuwait: Qatar finished runners-up at the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Kuwait after a narrow 29-26 loss to Bahrain in a tense final that denied them a seventh straight continental crown on Thursday.The Qatari side trailed 14-11 at the break but produced a determined response in the second half to draw level at 24-24 and push the match into overtime. Bahrain proved more clinical in the additional periods to seal their maiden Asian title.Even so, Qatar achieved one of their key objectives by securing qualification for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship in Germany, where they will make their 11th appearance. 

The ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Qatar visits ice skating rink at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena

DOHA  – His Excellency H.E. Mr. Hyunsoo Yun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the State of Qatar, paid a visit to the ice skating rink at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena at Al Sadd Club, to tour the facilities dedicated to ice sports.The Ambassador was welcomed by Mr. Rashid Majed Al Sulaity, President of the Qatar Winter Sports Committee, and Mr. Hassan Hisham Al Habbabi, Secretary General of the Committee. During the visit, they reviewed the rink’s capabilities and the infrastructure supporting ice sports in Qatar.On the occasion, the Qatar Winter Sports Committee presented His Excellency the Ambassador with a commemorative shield in appreciation of his visit and interest in ice sports, in the presence of the accompanying delegation, which included the Deputy Ambassador and several consuls.Mr. Rashid Majed Al Sulaity expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the South Korean Ambassador for the visit, noting that ice sports in Qatar are set to witness significant expansion in infrastructure. He emphasized that this growth will strengthen Qatar’s position at both the regional and international levels and support the future development of winter sports in the country.For his part, His Excellency the Ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for the warm reception, praising the advanced level of the ice rink and its modern facilities. He affirmed that the venue represents a leading model of sports infrastructure in Qatar and reflects the country’s comprehensive development in the sports sector, commending the dedication of such a high-quality facility to the promotion and growth of winter sports. 

Qatar Olympic Committee Half Marathon 2026 Prepares for Grand Kickoff

DOHA  – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is entering the final stage of preparations for the 2026 edition of its annual Half Marathon, with a press conference scheduled for Monday, 2 February 2026, at Lusail Hall in the QOC headquarters. The event, one of the most anticipated community sports gatherings on the QOC calendar, will take place along Lusail Boulevard, coinciding with Qatar National Sport Day.The Organising Committee will use the press briefing to present the latest organizational, logistical, technical, and administrative updates, including confirmed race routes, operational protocols, and services available to participants and spectators. Comprehensive safety measures, including medical coverage, emergency plans, and strategically placed volunteer and support points, have been implemented to ensure a secure and seamless experience for all participants from professionals and amateurs to families and young runners.A standout feature of the event is the interactive “Team Village”, designed as a vibrant hub for families and children, featuring a variety of recreational and sporting activities alongside community programs that enhance the celebratory atmosphere and make the Half Marathon a fully immersive sporting and social experience.The race itself will feature carefully designed categories to accommodate participants of all ages and abilities. Children aged 6 to 14 will compete in a 1-kilometre race, while boys and girls aged 15 to 17 will run 5 kilometres. Open categories for men and women aged 19 to 39, as well as those 40 and above, will compete across 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km distances. In addition, dedicated “Team Qatar ” categories for men and women aged 19–39 and 40+ will be included across the same distances, ensuring inclusivity and a comprehensive sporting experience.The Organising Committee has called on all eligible participants to register through the dedicated link on the Qatar Olympic Committee’s website, under the approved terms and conditions. The goal is to expand participation from 6,000 runners in the inaugural edition to 10,000 participants in 2026, from within Qatar and abroad, strengthening the event’s competitive and international profile.The QOC Half Marathon 2026 exemplifies the QOC ’s ongoing commitment to promoting sport as a unifying force, fostering social interaction and inclusion across diverse communities, and reinforcing the values of peace, solidarity, and fraternity.  

Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani elected OCA President

Tashkent: The General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia has elected H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani as President of the Council, during its meeting held today in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. Sheikh Joaan was elected by acclamation after standing as the sole candidate for the position, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Asian Olympic Movement.The election reflected the strong confidence placed in Sheikh Joaan by the Asian Olympic family and widespread recognition of his extensive leadership experience and long-standing contributions to sport at continental and international levels.In his  speech at the General Assembly, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani stressed that accepting the presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia stems from a deep sense of responsibility toward the Asian Olympic family, reaffirming his commitment to serving all National Olympic Committees with openness, fairness, and respect, while keeping athletes at the heart of Olympic work.He outlined his vision for the next phase of the OCA, highlighting the importance of strengthening solidarity among Asian nations, promoting good governance, and supporting the sustainable development of sport, in addition to expanding opportunities to host major international events in Asia, empowering athletes, and inspiring future generations through collective action and effective partnerships across the Olympic Movement.During the General Assembly, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, awarded H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani the Order of Honour of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the Olympic Movement and his active role in strengthening the stature of Asian sport.H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is regarded as one of the leading sports figures in the State of Qatar and the Asian region. Since 2015, he has led the development of Qatari sport in his capacity as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, advancing a comprehensive strategic vision that has strengthened Qatar’s presence at both the continental and international levels, while firmly establishing the country’s position as a global destination for hosting major sporting events.Influential International RolesSheikh Joaan has maintained a strong and active presence within the international Olympic Movement through his involvement in several International Olympic Committee commissions and affiliated bodies. Since 2022, he has been a member of the IOC’s Olympism 365 Commission, having previously served on the Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport Commission from 2018 to 2022. He has also been a Board Member of the Olympic Refuge Foundation since 2017.In addition, Sheikh Joaan has served as Senior Vice President and Vice President for Asia of the Association of National Olympic Committees since 2022, and was a member of the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia until 2024, underscoring the confidence placed in his leadership by international sports institutions.National Contributions and Major Event HostingUnder Sheikh Joaan’s leadership, Qatar successfully secured the hosting rights for the Doha 2030 Asian Games, FIVB 2029 Volleyball Men's World Championship and the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.He also played an instrumental role in bringing and overseeing the successful organisation of several major international sporting events, including the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024, the World Judo Championships 2023, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the ANOC World Beach Games 2019, the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2018, and the IHF Men’s Handball World Championship 2015. Additionally, Qatar hosted the IPC Athletics World Championships and the AIBA World Boxing Championships in 2015 under his guidance.Since 2024, Sheikh Joaan has served as Vice President of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, continuing his role in advancing excellence in the planning and delivery of world-class sporting events, following his earlier membership of the committee between 2018 and 2022.Olympic Achievements Under His LeadershipUnder the leadership of H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatari sport recorded a sustained rise on the Olympic stage, highlighted by landmark achievements across successive Games. During his presidency of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar delivered its most successful Olympic performances, beginning with a silver medal by Mutaz Barshim at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which marked Qatar’s emergence among the world’s elite in athletics.That momentum culminated at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where Qatar achieved its best-ever Olympic result. The Games witnessed a historic breakthrough as weightlifter Fares Ibrahim captured Qatar’s first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 96kg category, while Barshim added another gold medal in the high jump, confirming his status as one of the greatest athletes of his generation. Qatar also achieved a milestone in team sports, with beach volleyball duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan securing the bronze medal. These achievements saw Qatar finish top of the Arab medal standings at Tokyo 2020.The Olympic success continued at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Barshim added a bronze medal to Qatar’s tally, underscoring the consistency and longevity of elite performance achieved under Sheikh Joaan’s leadership and the effectiveness of Qatar’s long-term athlete development strategy.In Paralympic sport, Qatar recorded a notable presence at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where Abdulrahman Abdulqader claimed the silver medal in the men’s shot put, while Sara Masoud added another silver medal in the women’s shot put, reflecting the continued development of programs supporting athletes with disabilities and their integration into Qatar’s high-performance sports system.Qatar’s Paralympic achievements continued at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, as Abdulrahman Abdulqader secured the bronze medal in the men’s shot put, underlining the sustainability of institutional efforts and Qatar’s growing profile on the international Paralympic stage.Commitment to Sports ExcellenceSheikh Joaan’s passion for sport is particularly evident in equestrian disciplines. He has chaired the Board of Al Shaqab and led its Steering Committee since 2021, playing a key role in the development of equestrian sport in Qatar. In 2014, he founded Al Shaqab Racing, further reinforcing Qatar’s global presence in the sport.His contributions to football have also been significant, having served as Vice-President of Al Sadd Sports Club from 2012 to 2015.Academic Background and Leadership RecognitionBeyond sport, Sheikh Joaan serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar Leadership Academy, reflecting his commitment to developing future generations of leaders. His contributions to sport and the Olympic Movement have been recognised through several prestigious awards, including the Contribution to the Olympic Movement Award from ANOC in 2019 and the Corporate Social Responsibility Person of the Year Award from Qatar University in 2015.The election of Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani as President of the Olympic Council of Asia marks a significant milestone for Asian sport and highlights Qatar’s growing influence in shaping the future of the Olympic Movement across the continent. 

Qatar, Saudi Olympic Academies Seal Strategic Cooperation Agreement

Tashkent – The Qatar Olympic Academy on Monday signed a cooperation agreement with the Saudi Olympic Academy on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), currently being held in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.The agreement aims to deepen regional and Gulf sports cooperation and reflects the shared commitment of both academies to advancing the Olympic movement and promoting sport as an effective tool for community and regional development.Under the agreement, the two sides will work closely to develop sports training personnel, while encouraging the exchange of knowledge and practical expertise between the two brotherly nations, in line with the strong historical and sporting ties linking the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The partnership includes the exchange of invitations to attend courses, seminars, and conferences organized by both academies, allowing participants to benefit from diverse professional experiences. It also provides for the organization of joint training courses for sports professionals, with a focus on modern and advanced training methodologies.In addition, the agreement covers the organization of joint workshops to discuss key sports-related topics, including the development of educational programs, as well as administrative and organizational challenges facing sports institutions. The two academies will also implement joint programs aimed at preparing and qualifying specialized sports training personnel, particularly coaches across various sports disciplines.The signing of the agreement marks an important step toward building a new generation of sports leaders in Asia and the Gulf, especially in light of global challenges such as the shortage of qualified sports professionals and the impact of pandemics on the sports sector. It also supports the long-term sustainability of sports development.This partnership aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which highlights sport as a key pillar of human and social development, and Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy through sports and entertainment initiatives. 

Team Qatar Book Semi-final Spot at Asian Men’s Handball Championship

Kuwait – Qatar have secured a place in the semi-finals of the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship, currently under way in Kuwait, after defeating the United Arab Emirates 25–20 in their final main-round match on Saturday.The victory also confirmed Qatar’s qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship, scheduled to be held in Germany, marking the 11th World Championship appearance in the team’s history.Qatar, six-time defending Asian champions, are aiming to extend their continental dominance after lifting the title in each of the last six editions.The Qatari team began their campaign with a convincing 27–15 win over Oman in the opening round of Group A, before suffering a narrow 32–30 defeat to South Korea, which saw them finish second in the group and advance to the main round.In the main round, Qatar kept their semi-final hopes alive with a 32–25 victory over Saudi Arabia, followed by a 31–28 loss to Bahrain, before sealing their place in the last four with the win over the UAE.