OCA President crowns Equestrian Jumping team medallists

OCA President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani crowned the medallists in the Equestrian Jumping team event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games during a ceremony held in Tokyo.H.E. Sheikh Joaan presented the medals to the winning teams: Saudi Arabia claimed gold, the United Arab Emirates took silver, and Japan won bronze. 

Qatar to Face Saudi Arabia in Gulf Cup Semi-Finals After UAE Draw

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Qatar drew 1-1 with the United Arab Emirates in their final Group B match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday, setting up a semi-final meeting with hosts Saudi Arabia at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah.The result saw both teams finish the group stage on seven points, with the UAE claiming top spot on goal difference. The UAE will face Group A runners-up Oman in the first semi-final on Saturday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, while Qatar, who finished second in Group B, will take on Group A winners Saudi Arabia in the second semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.With both sides already assured of their places in the last four, the encounter was effectively a battle for top spot and began at a competitive pace, with Qatar looking to exploit quick transitions.Qatar broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Jassem Gaber delivered a well-placed cross that Almoez Ali converted to put his side in front.The UAE responded by stepping up the pressure and creating a series of attacking opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time when Khaled Al Tanhani played the ball to Ali Saleh, who controlled it before sending a low shot into the net to restore parity.The UAE continued to press after the restart, intensifying its search for a winning goal, while Qatar adopted a more defensive approach and looked to threaten on the counterattack.Despite sustained efforts from both sides, neither team could find a decisive second goal, and the match ended 1-1.Qatar will now turn its attention to Saturday’s semi-final against Saudi Arabia, with a place in the Arabian Gulf Cup final at stake.

Qatar Set for High-Stakes Quarter-Final Clash with Hosts Japan

AICHI-NAGOYA, Japan – Qatar’s national volleyball team face a high-stakes quarter-final against hosts Japan today as their pursuit of Asian Games glory continues at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.The encounter promises to be a demanding battle between two experienced teams with strong technical and physical capabilities. Japan will also enjoy the added advantage of home support, with a passionate crowd expected to create an intense atmosphere.Qatar advanced to the knockout stage after finishing second in Group C. They began the competition with victories over Hong Kong and Vietnam before narrowly going down 3-2 to India in their final group match.Qatar made an outstanding start against India, winning two closely fought sets 28-26 and 27-25 to take a 2-0 lead. India then mounted a determined comeback to level the contest and force a fifth-set decider, eventually edging the final set 24-22.The result highlighted Qatar’s competitiveness and fighting spirit, qualities they will need once again against Japan. Unlike the group stage, however, the quarter-final is a knockout encounter, meaning there will be no second opportunity if the team falls short.Argentine head coach Soto and his technical staff have prepared carefully for the challenge, drawing on their knowledge of the Japanese team from a friendly played during Qatar’s pre-Games training camp.The coaching staff are expected to place particular emphasis on Qatar’s serve and reception, limiting Japan’s attacking options and maintaining tactical discipline and concentration when the match reaches its decisive moments.With a semi-final place at stake, Team Qatar will seek to deliver another determined performance and overcome the challenge of facing the hosts on their own court.

Qatar 2027 World Cup Enriches Bayt Qatar Visitors with a Unique Experience

NAGOYA, Japan : A three-day promotional campaign organized by the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee on 20, 23 and 29 September attracted strong interest and engagement from guests at Bayt Qatar, held on the sidelines of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the tournament and showcase the Naismith Trophy to senior Olympic officials, leading figures in Asian sport and visitors to Bayt Qatar, as well as athletes and fans attending the Asian Games. It also sought to engage fans of Asian national teams qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 12 August to 27 September 2027.The promotional campaign attracted hundreds of basketball enthusiasts, Asian Games fans and athletes, providing a unique experience that brought together sport, its legacy and its impact on people. It also contributed to strengthening basketball culture across Asia.The campaign represents a significant promotional initiative connecting the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 with the Asian sporting community. It also contributes to strengthening sporting ties between Qatar and its Asian counterparts, while reinforcing the role of sport as a bridge for peace, solidarity and greater understanding between people.At its core, the campaign builds on the global momentum surrounding the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games to promote the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and highlight Qatar’s approach to creating a sustainable sporting legacy that extends beyond individual tournaments.This is achieved by building on accumulated expertise, sporting infrastructure and strategic investments and turning them into sustainable assets that serve the community and support the continued development of basketball.The fan experience is a key pillar of the Local Organizing Committee’s preparations. Qatar 2027 aims to deliver an experience that goes beyond the games and competition inside the arenas, offering fans and visitors a comprehensive experience combining sport, entertainment and culture through a range of fan activities and events, while providing opportunities to discover Qatari culture and enjoy diverse tourism experiences that reflect the richness and diversity of Qatar.

Team Qatar Wrestling Continues Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Campaign

AICHI-NAGOYA, Japan – Team Qatar’s wrestling campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 continues today, Thursday, with Shahin Mohammed set to begin his challenge in the men’s Greco-Roman 77kg competition.Mohammed will face Tajikistan’s Alisher Ruzimadov in the Round of 16, as he bids to make a strong start to his campaign and secure a place in the quarter-finals.Team Qatar’s Aref Mohammadi competed in the men’s Greco-Roman 67kg event yesterday, advancing to the quarter-finals after producing a dominant 9-0 victory over Thailand’s Nuttapong Hinmee in the Round of 16.Mohammadi’s campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals, where he was defeated by Kyrgyzstan’s Razzak Beishekeev. 

Qatar Olympic Academy Concludes “Sports Policies and Legal Frameworks in Sport” Course

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Academy successfully concluded its Sports Policies and Legal Frameworks in Sport course, held over three days from September 28 to 30, 2026, with the participation of professionals and stakeholders from the sports sector both within and outside the State of Qatar. Participants represented various governmental and private sector organizations and came from diverse professional and academic backgrounds.The course forms part of the Academy’s wide-ranging educational and training programs under its 2026 agenda, as well as its series of sports event management courses, a key area of focus this year. It reflects the Academy’s ongoing commitment to developing national and regional competencies and enhancing specialized knowledge in the fields of sports management and event organization.The program also aimed to keep pace with the rapid development of the sports sector at both the local and international levels and to prepare professionals capable of addressing the organizational, administrative, and technical aspects associated with sporting events.The course was delivered by Mr. Thanasis Grigoropoulos, an international expert in sports management. Through a series of lectures and practical sessions, he addressed various topics related to sports policies and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the management of sporting events. The course also highlighted international best practices in governance, operational planning, risk management, and legal responsibilities.The program focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of the policies and procedures governing major sporting events, while clarifying the key differences between policies and operational procedures and the role each plays in organizing institutional work and defining responsibilities and authorities. This contributes to improving planning and implementation mechanisms and strengthening coordination and integration among stakeholders involved in sports event organization.The lectures emphasized that the success of any sporting event depends not only on technical and logistical aspects but also on the existence of an integrated framework of policies, regulations, and operational procedures that ensures clarity of roles and responsibilities and provides an organizational structure capable of supporting decision-making and achieving objectives efficiently and effectively.The training program included a detailed review of governance principles and their application in sports event management. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of implementing modern governance standards as one of the fundamental pillars for the success of sports organizations and for enabling them to manage resources and operations more efficiently and transparently.The lecturer also discussed the importance of clearly defined roles and responsibilities within the sports management system, highlighting the need for well-established organizational structures that promote harmony among different teams and support timely decision-making throughout the various stages of event organization.Mr. Grigoropoulos further explored the operational management of sports venues as a critical component of successful event delivery. The sessions reviewed the principles that ensure continuity of operations within sports facilities, mechanisms for coordination among departments, and best practices for addressing operational challenges and emergency situations that may arise during events.A significant portion of the course was dedicated to risk management and legal liability associated with sporting events. Participants examined practical models and case studies focused on handling potential risks before, during, and after an event.Discussions highlighted the importance of advance planning, contingency preparation, and crisis response strategies, in addition to understanding the legal responsibilities of organizing bodies and methods for complying with relevant regulatory and legislative requirements. These elements strengthen the ability of sports professionals to make informed decisions and take appropriate action when needed.The course also covered several topics related to the legal and regulatory obligations accompanying different phases of sports event organization, emphasizing the importance of establishing work environments based on clear policies and approved procedures that enhance performance and support safe and efficient operations.Throughout the sessions, the lecturer stressed that modern sports event management requires a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between governance, policy, and operations. These elements form an integrated system that cannot be separated, and the success of any sporting event depends on the alignment between strategic planning and on-the-ground implementation.As part of the practical component, participants explored operational planning for sports venues and the organization of various services during the hosting of sports competitions and events. They were introduced to a range of internationally recognized models used in sports facility management and operations.The concept of “Level of Service” was one of the key topics discussed during the course. Participants learned how to identify and assess the needs of different stakeholder groups associated with sporting events, including athletes, technical teams, administrators, sports officials, VIPs, spectators, and media representatives.Lectures highlighted the importance of aligning services with the needs of each group through careful planning of accommodation, transportation, accreditation, catering, security, and logistical support services, ensuring a comprehensive experience that contributes to the success of the event and meets stakeholder expectations.The course also presented a practical model for space allocation within a sports arena. The model included the designation of entry and exit points for different groups, athlete areas, media zones, VIP sections, spectator seating, and medical and operational facilities.The model demonstrated the importance of effective spatial planning in ensuring smooth movement throughout the venue, minimizing congestion and operational conflicts, and improving overall efficiency and coordination among event staff and working teams.Interactive sessions featured in-depth discussions on designing movement flows within sports facilities in a manner that meets safety, security, and operational efficiency requirements, while emphasizing the strategic distribution of facilities and services to support seamless mobility and facilitate operational tasks.To bridge theory and practice, participants worked on operational policy templates that provided opportunities to learn about developing policies and procedures related to sports facility management and event organization, translating theoretical concepts into practical and implementable actions.Practical workshops also addressed methods for defining responsibilities and allocating tasks within sports facilities, helping to ensure clarity of roles among departments and organizational units while enhancing the ability of sports institutions to achieve their operational and organizational objectives more effectively.The course underscored the importance of maintaining clear and continuously updated operational policies due to their role in improving service quality, enhancing work environments, strengthening resource management capabilities, and enabling organizations to respond effectively to changing circumstances and operational challenges during sporting events.This course reflects the Qatar Olympic Academy’s commitment to continuing its leading role in sports education and professional development through the provision of specialized training programs aligned with the latest global trends in sports management and major event organization.