Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana re-elected as President of AWF

Doha: The Executive Office of the Arab Weightlifting Federation (AWF) held a meeting on the margins of the Combined Weightlifting Championships, hosted by Doha, featuring the Qatar Cup, the Arab Weightlifting Championship, and the West Asia Weightlifting Championship, amid wide Arab and Asian participation and high-level attendance from the sport's leadership.During the meeting, AWF renewed its confidence in HE Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana by electing him as President of AWF for a new term extending from 2025 to 2029, after he was elected unopposed in a move that demonstrates the massive confidence in the current leadership, along with the apparent gains earned both on the coaching and administrative levels throughout the previous cycle, in terms of promoting the Arab presence in international fora, elevating the game system, as well as the refereeing and coaching talents.HE Al Mana retained his position as Pesident of the AWF, in addition to his international and regional posts, as he serves as First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), President of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF), President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation, and President of the Afro Asian Weightlifting Council of Weightlifting, underscoring his sports influence and prominent standing in the global weightlifting landscape.The new term witnessed the creation of the post of First Vice President of the AWF, in an organizational step aimed at strengthening governance and expanding the scope of executive work, with Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation, elected unopposed to assume this post, in recognition of his outstanding role in advancing the sport on the national and Gulf regional stages.The new formation of vice presidents was also approved, including Talal Rasheed Al Jassar (Kuwait) and Dr. Abdullah Al Jarmal (Yemen) as vice presidents representing the Asian region, alongside Mohamed Abdelmaksoud (Egypt) and Kamel Saidi (Algeria) as vice presidents representing the African region.The executive office elected unopposed also includes Mohammed Kadhem Mza'al (Iraq), Dr. Basil Al Ibrahim (Syria), Ishaq Ibrahim Ishaq (Bahrain), Abdel Ilah Laarash (Morocco), Abdulrahman Al Jatlawi (Libya), and Dr. Khaled Al Wadaia (Palestine), reflecting geographical diversity, extensive technical expertise, and broad administrative experience.Attending the meeting were representatives from 19 countries among the executive members, alongside a record number of officials from Arab federations and heads of delegations participating in the Combined Championships, led by Mohammed Hasan Jalood Al Shammari, President of IWF, Abdel Aziz bin Mohammed Al Enazi, Secretary General of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, and Dr. Astrit Hasani, President of the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF).This attendance reemphasizes the advanced status achieved by the Arab championships and the growing role of AWF within the international weightlifting framework.HE Al Mana asserted that renewing confidence in him is a colossal responsibility prior to being an honor, stressing that the upcoming period will be marked by extensive work to meet the aspirations of the Arab federations.This election by acclamation reflects the spirit of Arab consensus and the confidence of the member federations in the pathway of the AWF, as a robust momentum to continue the work and advance this game at all coaching and administrative levels, he underlined.Al Mana added that the next phase will focus on expanding the participation base, qualifying coaching and refereeing cadres, and strengthening developmental programs for juniors and youth, contributing to the preparation of Arab champions capable of competing on continental and global stages.

GCC U10 Tennis Championship begins

Doha (Agencies) – The GCC U10 Years Tennis Championship began yesterday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.The participants’ list features a number of young players from Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Qatari players Sara Khalifa, Aisha Al Thani and Abdullah Al Mannai, alongside Omani player Omar Al Shaibani, Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al Barqan and Bahrain’s Abdullah Mohammed.Khalid Al Khelaifi, Head of the National Teams Committee at the Qatar Tennis Federation, said that hosting competitions for this age group contributes significantly to the development of Qatari players and the enhancement of their technical level, given the strong competitive exposure it provides against different Gulf tennis schools.Al Khelaifi added that the championship reflects the Federation’s commitment to promoting tennis across the Gulf region and providing a competitive environment, while also serving as an opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among the peoples of the GCC states.

Three International, Asian and Arab Weightlifting Championships to begin in Doha on Saturday

Doha: Three international, Arab and Asian weightlifting championships will kick off simultaneously in Doha on Saturday and will continue until 27 December.The three championships comprise the 10th Qatar International Cup 2025, the Arab Weightlifting Championship for youth, juniors and seniors, and the West Asia Weightlifting Championship, held across the same age categories. The combined event reflects Qatar’s advanced standing on the map of global sports event organization and underscores its technical and organizational readiness to host major sporting events.The technical meeting for the three championships was held this evening. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation, and President of the Qatari, Arab, Asian and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations. It was attended by Mohammed Hassan Jalood Al Shammari, President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF); Mohammed Al Harbi, President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation; Jassim Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Secretary General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation; Dr. Abdullah Al Jarmal, Vice President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation; in addition to representatives of the participating delegations, organizing committees and officiating bodies.In his opening remarks, Al Mana welcomed the participating delegations and wished them success in the three championships. The meeting discussed the technical regulations, competition schedule and organizational rules, while emphasizing the application of the highest international standards in officiating and safety to ensure the smooth and professional conduct of the competitions.The meeting also addressed weigh-in and classification procedures, stressing the importance of adherence to schedules and coordination between technical and administrative teams. In addition, 36 international referees from the elite ranks of the International Weightlifting Federation were approved to officiate the competitions, ensuring the precise application of technical rules and equal opportunities for all participants.The three championships are being held with direct support from the Qatar Olympic Committee and are considered among the most important sporting events on Qatar’s 2025 calendar. They have been prepared in accordance with the highest international standards and will feature elite weightlifters from around the world, raising the level of competition and offering fans the opportunity to witness high technical standards.The three events are witnessing wide participation, with the Qatar Cup attracting around 25 countries from across the world, the Arab Championship featuring 19 countries, and the West Asia Championship welcoming 12 countries.The number of participating male and female athletes stands at approximately 252 lifters from various age groups. Most delegations are fielding both men’s and women’s teams, with the exception of a few countries participating in the men’s competitions only.The competitions will feature a number of world-class champions, led by Qatari Olympic champion Fares Ibrahim, gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; Iranian Olympic lifter Kianoush Rostami, gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games; and Syrian lifter Man Asaad, bronze medallist at the same edition.The Qatar national weightlifting team is represented in the championships by six male and female lifters competing in six different weight categories: Fares Ibrahim, Fares Ahmed Jaber, Nader Mohammed Bakr, Abdullah Al Hashemi, Wesal Yakhlef, and Sara Al Qassibi.The team is aiming to compete strongly for medals, with the championships also serving as an important opportunity to prepare and equip athletes for the upcoming Olympic qualification events, particularly those leading to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, in addition to preparations for the Qatar Cup 2026.On the sidelines of the three championships—the 10th Qatar International Cup 2025, the Arab Championship for youth, juniors and seniors, and the West Asia Championship for the same age groups—a refresher refereeing course will be organized under the supervision of the International Weightlifting Federation, in addition to an anti-doping education course aimed at developing human resources and promoting the values of integrity and fair play in sport.The organizing committee of the three championships is placing particular focus on the anti-doping committee, one of the most active committees, which will conduct more than 50 random sample tests daily. Educational materials will also be displayed in training and competition venues to highlight the dangers of doping and its negative impact on athletes’ health.Meanwhile, Doha will host tomorrow, Saturday, the electoral meeting of the Arab Weightlifting Federation, on the sidelines of the three major championships. The meeting comes as part of plans to enhance institutional work and develop weightlifting at the Arab level. It will witness the election of new members to the federation’s board, as well as discussions on a number of issues related to organizing championships, supporting athletes, and developing technical and administrative cadres.The Arab Federation’s electoral meeting will be followed by another electoral meeting for the West Asia Weightlifting Federation, scheduled for 22 December, further reinforcing Doha’s position as a comprehensive regional hub for the management and development of the sport of weightlifting.Commenting on the three championships, Mohammed Hassan Jalood Al Shammari, President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), praised the significant efforts made by the State of Qatar to develop weightlifting in recent years, noting the extensive work carried out by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation to ensure the successful organization of the three events.Al Shammari said in a press statement that the great success of previous championships hosted by Doha in recent years played a major role in the decision to once again select Doha to host the West Asia Championship and the Arab Championship, alongside the Qatar International Cup. He also commended the new sports equipment provided by the organizing committee.He stressed that this reflects the committee’s commitment to the comfort and safety of all participants, which will contribute to delivering high technical standards throughout the days of competition.

Logo of the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 unveiled

Doha: The Organizing Committee of the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 unveiled today the official logo of the Games during a ceremony held at Old Doha Port, in the presence of a number of officials, representatives of sports federations, and members of the media.The official logo of the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 draws its inspiration from the palm tree, one of the most prominent symbols rooted in the environment and heritage of the Gulf region. The palm tree reflects the shared values of Gulf societies, including resilience, endurance, generosity, patience, and a deep connection to the land—values that have shaped the Gulf identity across generations.The logo is composed of six palm fronds, representing the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, presented in a contemporary visual style defined by flowing lines that reflect the sporting character of the Games. The harmonious arrangement of the fronds creates a central negative space that forms the number “4”, offering a clear reference to the fourth edition of the GCC Games.The logo was unveiled through a creative and interactive approach, based on the execution of an artistic mural using a “paint-by-numbers” concept. Attendees and members of the public took part in gradually completing the logo by filling the numbered sections with their designated colors, in a scene that highlighted the importance of community participation and reinforced the concept of collective effort—values that the Games seek to promote.The Qatari capital, Doha, will host the competitions of the 4th GCC Games from 11 to 22 May 2026, with the participation of elite Gulf athletes competing in 18 sporting disciplines, held across nine sports venues.On this occasion, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, General Director of the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 expressed his pride in unveiling the official logo of the Games, affirming that the logo embodies the shared meanings that unite GCC countries and reflects the depth of historical and cultural ties among their peoples.He noted that the logo’s design was the result of a carefully considered vision aimed at translating common Gulf values into a contemporary visual identity, explaining that the choice of the palm frond was deliberate and based on its firmly established symbolism in the region’s heritage, and what it represents in terms of authenticity and cohesion among Gulf states.He added that the Organizing Committee was keen to ensure that the logo unveiling took place through an interactive and innovative method, allowing the public to participate in the moment of announcement and reflecting the Games’ approach to engaging the community at various stages. He emphasized that this approach aligns with the Games’ message of strengthening bonds among Gulf youth and reinforcing the values of cooperation and collective action through sport.Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid also confirmed that preparations for hosting the Games are progressing in line with the approved plans, drawing on Qatar’s extensive organizational experience in hosting major sporting events. He expressed the Organizing Committee’s aspiration to deliver an outstanding edition of the GCC Games that contributes to the development of Gulf sport and further enhances Doha’s position as a leading destination for hosting regional and international sporting events.

Strong Opening for Qatar Cup and Regional Weightlifting Championships in Doha

DOHA  – The Qatari capital, Doha, witnessed Saturday strong opening of the 10th Qatar International Cup 2025 for Weightlifting, held alongside the Arab Weightlifting Championships for youth, juniors and seniors, as well as the West Asia Weightlifting Championships for the same age categories.Organized by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation, the championships will continue until 27 December, attracting wide participation and showcasing an outstanding technical standard.The competitions got underway with the 60kg category, which delivered intense, closely fought contests and a high level of performance, as weightlifters across all divisions impressed with their strength and skill.In the men’s competition, Saudi lifter Aqeel Abdullah Al Jassim claimed three gold medals after lifting 123kg in the snatch, 141kg in the clean and jerk, for a total of 264kg.His compatriot Mansour Abdulrahim Al Sulaim secured second place with three silver medals, posting 115kg in the snatch, 140kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 255kg.The bronze medals went to Algerian weightlifter Chaabi Kassi, who lifted 95kg in the snatch, 115kg in the clean and jerk, for an overall total of 210kg.In the youth category of the same weight class, Saudi lifter Mohammed Nawaf Al Ajain continued his outstanding form, winning three gold medals after recording 107kg in the snatch, 130kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 237kg.Algerian wieghtlifter Chaabi Kassi finished second with three silver medals, while Syrian lifter Najm Al-Din Khattab earned two bronze medals in the clean and jerk and total with a lift of 111kg and an overall total of 197kg. Kuwaiti lifter Mohammed Humaid captured the bronze medal in the snatch with a lift of 87kg.The junior competitions in the 60kg category produced identical results, as Mohammed Nawaf Al Ajain once again dominated with three gold medals, followed by Chaabi Kassi with three silvers, while the bronze medals were shared between Najm Al-Din Khattab of Syria and Mohammed Humaid of Kuwait.At the level of the Qatar International Cup, the men’s 60kg category saw Aqeel Abdullah Al Jassim crowned with three gold medals, ahead of his fellow Saudi Mansour Abdulrahim Al Sulaim, who took three silvers, while Syrian lifter Najm Al-Din Khattab collected three bronze medals.For his part, Mr. Zayed Mubarak Al Khayarin, Executive Director of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation, affirmed that hosting the three championships simultaneously represents a major milestone in the sport’s journey at the local, Arab and continental levels, and reflects the great confidence enjoyed by the State of Qatar and the Qatar Weightlifting Federation within the international weightlifting community.In a press statement, Al Khayarin explained that staging the 10th Qatar International Cup, alongside the Arab Championship and the West Asia Championship, in a single event demonstrates the federation’s high organizational capabilities and accumulated expertise in managing major championships in line with the highest international standards.He added that the wide participation of countries, male and female lifters underlines the prestigious status these championships have attained, noting that the federation has been keen to provide all organizational, technical and logistical requirements to ensure an ideal competitive environment for all participants.Al Khayarin also praised the presence of senior officials from continental and international federations, describing it as direct support for the ongoing development of weightlifting in Qatar and the region, and a clear indicator of the success of the growing partnership between the Qatar Weightlifting Federation and its Arab, Asian and international counterparts.

Qatar's Ahmed Al Shaabi Elected AHF's Representative to IHF

DOHA  - President of the Qatar Handball Association Ahmed Al Shaabi was elected by acclamation as the Asian Handball Federation's (AHF) representative to the International Handball Federation (IHF) during the 25th Ordinary General Assembly of the Asian Handball Federation in Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday.Al Shaabi's election to this important position underscores the high level of trust placed in him and his extensive experience within the handball system. It also reflects the prominent presence of Qatari talent and its active role in international sports decision-making.The General Assembly meeting also elected by acclamation Kuwait's Badr Al Theyab as President of the AHF for the 2025-2029 term.The new board includes Iran's Alireza as first vice president; Jordan's Sari Hamdan, Bahrain's Ali Ishaqi, and Chin's Wang Tao as vice presidents, and Pakistani Muhammad Shafiq as Secretary General. It also included Thai Sombat Kuruphan, Emirati Mohammed Julfar, Iraqi Ahmed Riyadh, Omani Ameen Al Barwani, South Korean Jung Choi, and Kazakh Gulnara Turlykhanova.