Qatar Handball Team Squad Announced Ahead of Asian Championship

Doha: The Qatar Handball Federation has announced the squad of the men’s national team ahead of the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship, which will be held in Kuwait from January 15 to 26. The tournament serves as a qualification event for the 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in Germany.The squad selected by head coach Valero Rivera includes: Ahmed Maddi, Abdulrazzaq Murad, Amin Zakkar, Mostafa Haiba, Amin Qahis, Franks Mazur, Aylidre Musovic, Wael Al-Mazoughi, Rafael Capote, Nasreddine Makdessi, Nidal Massoud, Nidal Al-Hadi, Firas Al-Munassif, Jovan Jesevics, Mohammed Ali Lotfi, Ahmed Magdy, Mohammed Rayan Al-Balaqi, Anadin Sulakovic, Filip Saric, Hamdi Ayad, Alaa Al-Din Al-Balrashid, and Abdulrahman Tarek.The draw for the championship placed Qatar in Group A alongside South Korea and Oman. Group B includes Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan, while Group C features Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and India. Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.The top two teams from each group will advance to the main round, which will feature eight teams divided into two groups playing a round-robin format. The top two teams from each main-round group will qualify for the semifinals, in addition to securing direct qualification for the 2027 World Championship.The Qatar national handball team is aiming to retain the Asian title it has won in the last six consecutive editions and to qualify for the World Championship for the 11th time in its history. Qatar’s best-ever result at the World Championship came at the 2015 edition in Doha, where the team finished as runners-up. 

Strong Start for Skeet Competition at Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026

Doha :The skeet competitions for men, women, juniors, junior women, and team events got underway today at the Lusail Shooting Complex on the second day of the Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026, which continues until January 21. The championship features the participation of 196 shooters, men and women, representing 17 countries.In the men’s category, shooters competed over 50 targets across two rounds (25 targets per round). Kuwaiti shooter Mohammed Al-Daihani topped the standings with a perfect score of 50. Emirati shooter Mohammed Ahmed finished second with 49, followed by his compatriot Saif bin Futtais in third place with 48. Uzbekistan’s Bekruz Sharapov placed fourth with 48, while Qatari shooter Rashid Saleh Al-Athba secured fifth place with the same score.In the women’s competition, shooters also contested 50 targets over two rounds. Qatari shooter Reem Al-Sharshani claimed first place with 49 targets, edging Kazakhstan’s Orenbai Asim, who finished second with the same score. Kazakhstan’s Olga Kailova placed third with 48, followed by Korea’s Koki Jang in fourth with 48, while Qatari shooter Hajar Mohammed finished fifth with 47.In the junior men’s category, shooters competed over 75 targets across three rounds. Kazakhstan’s Vladislav Zavodilenko claimed first place, while his compatriot Maxim Bushivalov finished second with 67 targets. Qatari shooter Mutib Ali Al-Marri secured third place with 66.In the junior women’s category (Asian Grand Prix event), which featured eight shooters competing over 75 targets across three rounds, Kazakhstan’s Evelina Sik took first place with 66 targets. Her compatriot Lidiya Basharova finished second with 65, while Chinese Taipei’s Yun Jia Shuang placed third with 64.In the men’s team skeet competition, the Kuwaiti team, consisting of Mohammed Al-Daihani, Abdullah Al-Rashidi, and Abdulaziz Al-Saad, claimed first place with a total of 145 targets. The Qatari team, comprising Rashid Saleh Al-Athba, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Kuwari, and Ali Ahmed Al-Ishaq, finished second with 142, while Saudi Arabia placed third with 141.In the women’s team skeet event, the Qatari team of Reem Al-Sharshani, Hajar Mohammed, and Sara Mohammed topped the standings with a total of 142 targets. Kazakhstan finished second with 141, while China placed third with 134.In the junior team skeet competition, Kazakhstan claimed first place with 204 targets. The Qatari team, consisting of Mutib Ali Al-Marri, Jassim Mohammed Al-Yafei, and Abdulrahman Ahmed Al-Haram, finished second with 183 targets, while Kuwait placed third with 153.The championship continues tomorrow, Wednesday, with the qualification rounds of the skeet competition (50 targets), followed by the finals for the junior men’s and junior women’s categories. The finals for the men’s, women’s, and mixed team (junior men and junior women) skeet events will be held on Thursday, with the mixed team (men and women) skeet final taking place the following day.Following the conclusion of the skeet competitions, official training sessions for the trap competition will be held on Saturday. The qualification rounds for the trap events across all categories will take place on January 18 and 19, followed by the junior men’s and junior women’s trap finals on Monday, January 19. The finals for the men’s, women’s, and mixed team (junior men and junior women) trap events will be held the next day, with the championship concluding on Wednesday, January 21, with the mixed team (men and women) trap final.Qatar is represented in the championship by 12 shooters, including Rashid Saleh, Mohammed Al-Rumaihi, Reem Al-Sharshani, Ali Ishaq, Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Saeed Abu Sharb, Angelo Scalzone, and Ray Bassil. Qatari shooters are aiming to continue their strong performances, win medals, and reach the podium. 

Team Qatar Set Sights on Victory Against Japan in Crucial Group Finale

JEDDAH, KSA - Japan will be aiming to complete a perfect group stage when they face Qatar in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Group B tie on Tuesday.Victories against Syria and United Arab Emirates mean Japan confirmed their place in the quarter-finals with a match to spare but head coach Go Oiwa confident his side can maintain their standards despite qualification already being secured.“Every detail feeds into our decision-making, and we will assess everything carefully as we prepare for the third match,” said Oiwa.“There were positives and areas to improve from the game against the United Arab Emirates, and we will clearly share those with the players. Our full focus now is on Qatar.“Qatar have players with distinct qualities, and they play with great speed and intensity. We will analyse them closely and approach the third match with a clear plan.”Qatar, meanwhile, were eliminated after suffering two consecutive defeats but head coach Ilidio Vale insisted his side remain determined to end their campaign on a positive note.“We approach every match with the same intention, and it will be no different against Japan,” said Vale. “Even though we are no longer in the running for qualification, our preparation remains the same and we will try to win.”This will be the third meeting between Japan and Qatar at the AFC U23 Asian Cup with the East Asian sidewinning one by a 4-2 margin at the quarter-final stage in 2024 while drawing the other 1-1 margin in the group stage in 2020.Japan have won each of their last five games played at the AFC U23 Asian Cup (stretching back to 2024) - this is the longest active winning streak by any team in this competition. 

Asian Shotgun Championship 2026 Kicks Off

DOHA - The opening ceremony of the Asian Shotgun Championship 2026 was held at the Lusail Hall in the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters on Monday. Taking place at the Lusail Shooting Complex, the event will continue until January 21, with 196 male and female shooters from 17 countries participating.The opening ceremony was attended by President of the Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud Al-Sabah and President of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr, along with federation officials and a number of guests.The ceremony featured a variety of entertaining segments, beginning with a video on the Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026, followed by a video presentation showcasing the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation's achievements, organization, and excellence in the sport of shooting. A traditional Qatari dance performance, known as Ardha, was then presented, reflecting the rich heritage of Qatari identity. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the list of participating countries.In a speech during the ceremony, President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr expressed his immense pleasure at the record-breaking participation in the Asian Shotgun Championships - Doha 2026, featuring a distinguished group of world and Olympic champions who will compete for podium finishes at the Lusail Shooting Range.The Federation President extended his sincere gratitude to the wise leadership for their support of sports federations, especially the Shooting Federation, which is witnessing significant development across all levels.He welcomed the elite shooting champions from across Asia to the Lusail International Shooting Range in a sporting atmosphere that reflects the spirit of fair competition and excellence, wishing all the shooters successful competitions and an enjoyable experience filled with excitement and thrill.Al Nasr pointed out that organizing major championships provides a platform to showcase the competence of Qatari personnel and their high level of professionalism in managing large-scale sporting events, making each championship held in Doha a new benchmark for excellence.For his part, President of the Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud Al-Sabah praised the significant and unwavering support given by the wise leadership in Qatar to sports, which made Qatar a beacon of global sports. He noted that Doha has become a pivotal center for shooting worldwide, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, most notably the Lusail Shooting Complex, which is considered one of the best sports facilities in the world.The President of the Asian Shooting Confederation affirmed that the Confederation has complete confidence in the Qatari organizing committee's ability to deliver an exceptional and impressive edition of the Asian Shotgun Championship 2026, following its success in hosting numerous continental and international shooting championships, most recently the ISSF World Cup Finals for rifle, pistol, and shotgun, which concluded last December. He wished all participating delegations success in achieving the desired goals of this important sporting event, which contributes to raising the level of shooting sports in Asia.He explained that Doha's hosting of the World Shooting Championships next November, during which 36 qualifying spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be awarded, is clear evidence of the development of sports in Qatar. He expressed his pride in the excellence and impressive performances of the Qatar Shooting Federation, headed by Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr, its members, Qatari shooters, and technical and administrative staff in various championships.He added that Asia is proud of the development of Qatari sports, and that they have plans for Qatar to be among the countries receiving Asian qualifying slots in shooting in the near future. He expressed his hope that Qatar would secure more Olympic qualification slots at the upcoming World Championships in Doha and that Qatari shooting would continue its success at future Olympic Games, following Nasser Al-Attiyah's bronze medal win at the 2012 London Olympics.The President of the Asian Shooting Confederation stated that the participation of 17 countries in the Asian Shotgun Championship - Doha 2026, with more than 250 athletes, coaches, and administrators, demonstrates the importance of the tournament, hoping to witness high levels of competition, especially since it is a championship sanctioned by the International Shooting Sport Federation, and the records set will be announced.The championship competitions kicked off today with official practice sessions for the skeet (75 targets) event. The skeet competition for the junior and youth categories will take place tomorrow, while the men's and women's categories will compete in the skeet (50 targets) event. The competitions continue on Wednesday, with the qualifying rounds for the skeet (50 targets) event, followed by the finals for the junior and youth categories. The finals for the men's, women's, and mixed team (junior and youth) skeet events will be held on Thursday, with the mixed team (men's and women's) skeet final taking place the following day.Following the skeet competitions, official practice for the trap shooting event will take place on January 17. Qualifying rounds for the various categories will be held on January 18 and 19, followed by the finals for the junior men's and women's trap categories on January 19. The following day will see the finals for the men's, women's, and mixed team trap events. The championship will conclude on January 21, with the mixed team trap final.The Qatari national team is represented by 12 shooters, including Rashid Saleh, Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Reem Al Sharshani, Ali Ishaq, Mohammed Al Kuwari, Saeed Abu Sharib, Angelo Scalzone, and Ray Basil. The Qatari shooters are aiming to continue their winning streak, win medals, and reach the podium. 

Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation Hosts Inaugural Golden Belt Boxing Championship

Doha – The Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation successfully organized the first edition of the Golden Belt Boxing Championship, held over three days at Aspire Academy. The event was staged through cooperation between the Qatar Boxing Federation and Al Sailiya Boxing Club, as part of activating the cooperation agreement signed between the Federation and Al Sailiya Sports Club.The championship was marked by a strong competitive atmosphere and a high level of organization, with the participation of 87 boxers representing 15 sports clubs from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan, reflecting the technical and organizational success of the event.In the Juniors category, Abdullah Al-Faqih won the gold medal in the 54kg division, while Tamim Louay Ali claimed the silver medal in the 75kg division, and Hamad Al-Shaibi secured silver in the over 80kg category.In the Youth category, Abdulaziz Abdul Latif captured the gold medal in the 55kg division, Yahya Jamal Ali won gold in the 65kg division, and Mousa Ratmah claimed gold in the 75kg division, with Hashem Daniel earning the silver medal in the same weight. Abdulrahman Wael also won gold in the 80kg division, while Sheikh Faris Ali Al Thani claimed gold in the over 90kg category.At the conclusion of the championship, the winners were crowned by His Excellency Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani, President of the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation, and H.E Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Marri, President of Al Sailiya Sports Club, alongside Mr. Sultan Hassan Al Jamali, Secretary General of the Federation, Mr. Saeed Mabkhout Al Marri, Director of Al Sailiya Boxing Club, and Mr. Ghanem Saleh Al Kuwari, Board Member and Head of the Boxing Committee at the Federation. The officials praised the outstanding technical level and high sportsmanship shown throughout the competition.His Excellency Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani commended the success of the championship’s first edition, expressing his satisfaction with the high technical standards and strong performances delivered by the boxers across all age categories. He emphasized that organizing such tournaments is a key pillar in the technical development of the sport, contributes to expanding the talent base, and forms an integral part of the Federation’s strategy in preparation for the 2030 Asian Games. He also highlighted the championship’s role as an important platform for discovering and developing new Qatari talents capable of strengthening the national boxing team and enhancing its presence at upcoming continental and international events. 

Qatar Olympic Committee Steps Up Half Marathon Preparations with 30 Days to Go

DOHA –  The Qatar Olympic Committee is stepping up its administrative, technical, and logistical preparations for the second edition of its annual Half Marathon 2026, set to take place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, at Lusail Boulevard. Held in conjunction with National Sport Day, the event underscores the QOC’s enduring dedication to spreading sports culture and encouraging an active lifestyle among all members of the community.Alongside the marathon, a diverse range of sports and entertainment activities will take place at the Team Qatar Village in Al Sa'ad Plaza, organized in cooperation with several national sports federations and supported by a distinguished group of partners, including Qatari Diar as the host, ASICS Japan, a global leader in sports equipment, Doha Bank,  the Ministry of Interior, Hamad Medical Corporation, and a team of dedicated volunteers.The race will feature categories that cater to different ages and fitness levels. These include: Children (ages 6–14): 1 km, Youth (ages 15–17): 5 km, General category (ages 19–39): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km General category (ages 40 and above): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, team Qatar category (ages 19–39): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, team Qatar category (ages 40 and above): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, The event ensures wide participation and a comprehensive sports experience for all age groups.The QOC invites participants of all ages to register online via the official QOC website, according to approved terms and conditions. The committee aims to expand the event’s reach, increasing participation from 6,000 runners in the first edition to 10,000 in 2026, attracting competitors from both inside and outside the country, highlighting the event’s international and competitive nature.On this occasion, Mr. Salah Al-Saadi, Vice Chairman of the Half Marathon Organizing Committee, stated that the QOC is committed to delivering an exceptional experience for all participants and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this annual event, in line with its vision: “To become a Leading Nation in Bringing The World Together Through Sustainable Sport Development.”Mr. Al-Saadi highlighted that the race is one of the flagship community and sports events on the Qatar Olympic Committee’s calendar. It is a groundbreaking initiative that reflects Qatar’s commitment to making physical activity a way of life, bringing families of all ages and fitness levels together in a healthy, uplifting, and positive environment.The organizing committee of the annual Half Marathon is working to deliver a second edition that meets the highest technical standards, ensuring a comprehensive and outstanding sporting experience for participants. The event also aims to promote a culture of physical activity in Qatar and encourage all segments of society to actively engage in sports, in alignment with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.