Champion of Champions kicks off today

​DOHA, October 21, 2017-The two-day International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) Champion of Champions will be held today and tomorrow at the Qatar Foundation Recreation Centre and Al Shaqab arena, with the sport's best athletes competing at the season-ending event.A strong field is guaranteed as only the top 18 men's and women's athletes are invited to compete. The women's competitions will be held today, while the men will be in action tomorrow.Qatar is hosting the event for the fourth consecutive year. This is the first time the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation will organise the event after both the bodies merged earlier this year. The action takes places in a single day, which differs from the usual UIPM competition format when competitions are hold over several days. The event begins with a 200 metres freestyle swim. A round robin of epee fencing will then take place before the fencing bonus round, with show jumping following on a course with 12 obstacles. Champions will then be crowned after a combined shoot and run using a laser pistol.Last year, the Germans dominated the event with Patrick Dogue winning the title, while Annika Schleu emerged as the women's winner. The 24-year-old Dogue had held off the challenge of world champion Valentin Belaud to triumph in 2016. This time he will face stiff competition from Rio Olympics gold medallist and World No. 6 Alexsandr Lesun of Russia. The 29-year-old Lesun has also won gold at the World Championships in Rome (2012) and Warsaw (2014). Frenchman Belaud, who is currently ranked No. 9, will also be seeking his revenge from Dogue.Qatar will have no representation this year as Khalid al-Nuaimi, who had participated in the last edition, is out with a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Schleu will be missing in action this time from the women's field. The German had won the last two editions of the competition in Doha. It will be interesting to see who takes the top spot in Schleu's absence. However, there is no dearth of high class athletes who will be in action today. Last year's Olympic Games silver medal Elodie Clouvel of France will be the one to watch out for.The 28-year-old, who also won silver at the 2016 Moscow World Championships, will be up against Hungarian Tamara Alekszejev, who is ranked four. World No. 10 Italian Alice Sotero is also a strong contender.

Qatar tennis team shine in Tunisia F31 Futures

​DOHA, October 20, 2017-The Qatari tennis team participated in Tunisia F31 Futures to be concluded in Hammamet, Tunisia on October 22. Jabor Nouh, Mousa Shanan, Abdullah Shanan and Mubarak Shanan represented the state of Qatar. The Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation is keen to give its players the opportunity to participate in International Championships to improve their skills and collect more ranking points.

Stage set for UIPM Champion of Champions

​DOHA, October 20, 2017-The Qatar leg of the hugely popular 'Modern Pentathlon - Champions of Champions' series will commence at Al Shaqab Arena tomorrow, the organisers said yesterday.The two-day competition will feature 34 athletes from 16 countries competing in five Olympic disciplines swimming, fencing, riding, running and shooting, Event Director, Ali Al Rumahi, confirmed yesterday.The event, which is organised by the Qatar Equestrian & Modern Pentathlon Federation (QEMP), will be held Al Shaqab's state-of-the art facilities and Qatar Foundation's Recreation Centre.Al Rumaihi said the fourth edition of the event in Qatar promises to be a thrilling affair.“We are excited for this fantastic opportunity to host this event in Qatar again, allowing us to build on previous editions of the Modern Pentathlon Champion of Champions competition," Al Rumaihi said.“Working closely with the International Federation of Modern Pentathlon, we hope to showcase this sport in Qatar and across the Middle East region supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 to develop Qatar into an international sporting hub.“In addition to being an international world-class sports event, our hosting of the COC competition provides the opportunity for the community to discover and understand the sport, especially those who are not familiar with it," Al Rumaihi added.President of UIPM, Dr Klaus Schormann, said: “One year ago during the 2016 UIPM Champion of Champions, we witnessed a very special moment of sportsmanship and also this year I welcome you all to celebrate together wonderful moments through Modern Pentathlon in the spirit of friendship and peace."He added: “For the first time we saw an athlete from Qatar participate at this high level and when he completed his final lap of the Laser-Run, all the other athletes gathered at the finish line to applaud him.“This was a true expression of the values of Olympic sport, as established by the founder of the Modern Olympic Games and Modern Pentathlon, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. These values remain central to our sporting movement today."Schormann said the modern pentathlon family looks forward to being in Doha.“The magical City of Doha is staging this competition for the fourth time and we know that this is always a highlight of the season for our athletes, coaches and fans watching all around the world," Schormann said.“We know that the fans in Doha can expect a high-class Modern Pentathlon event at the high-quality facilities in the Qatar Foundation Recreation Centre and Al Shaqab Arena.“Doha is a special pillar of our movement and I thank our hosts, the Qatar Equestrian & Modern Pentathlon Federation and all the volunteers who will make the 2017 Champion of Champions such a special occasion," Schormann added.Schormann confirmed that the women's individual event will take place tomorrow followed by the men's individual competitions on Sunday.“Promotional plans are being put together to encourage the younger generation to attend such a competition, to generate an interest in sports among the young and develop a healthy lifestyle. By organising such competitions, we hope to inspire the community and realize more participation from residents in Qatar," Al Rumaihi said.

Qatar beach volleyball teams begin Asia Pacific Championship with win

​Sumatra, October 20, 2017- Qatar beach volleyball team started their campaign at the 2017 Asia Pacific beach volleyball championship, which is being held in Indonesia until October 22, with two victories. Qatar is represented at the championship with two teams; Qatar A and Qatar B. Qatar A defeated Indonesia 3 team 2-0 in a Group B game. Qatar B team recorded a 2-0 victory over Indonesia 2 team in Group C. Qatar B have won the Grand Osaka Asian (Masters), which was held in Japan, after defeating Indonesia 2 in the final game. Qatar's beach volleyball team are 12th in the world ranking after the A team qualified for the round of 16 in the recent world championship in Austria and lost to the host nation. The A team, comprising Younousse and Jefferson Pereira, played strong and competitive matches during the tournament and managed 480 points.

Jaber Rashid, Mohd Salem excel on opening day of Hathab

DOHA, October 14, 2017 - Jaber Rashid Al Ameri of Qatar Equestrian Federation and Mohammed Salem Al Marri of Al Shaqab emerged on top in the Open Class and Small Tour events respectively in the first Hathab Equestrian Tour competition being held at the pristine Al Shaqab equestrian centre in Doha on Friday.Jaber astride Canavaro de Muze (E.T.), a 2008 born grey stud, produced a pleasing show in 60.02 secs with no fault to claim the top prize in the Open Class- One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 (115/125cm) event. He won QR3,750 for his effort.Jaber's fine show also saw him pip an equally impressive Mohammed Said Haidan, who rode 2006-born bay Holst Corrado's Coriana past all obstacles and with no fault in a time of 60.36secs to finish second and win QR3,000. Jaber also finished fourth in the Small Tour, riding Zenit 35 in 55.17secs. Hamad Nasser al Qadi on bay Jazly with a time of 66.16secs was third and was awarded QR2.250.Earlier in the Small Tour One round against the clock, Art. 238.1.1 (100/115cm) event, Mohd Salem al Marri guided Al Shaqab's Gin Tonic Van de Kranenburg (11-year-old bay) past the routine in 49.90secs to win the top prize of QR2,500.Mohammed Khalifa al Baker on Looping 46, seve-year-old grey Holst needed 51.70secs and finished second for a prize of QR2,000. Mohammed Taleb al Saaq riding bay Diamond Delemma for Qatar Armed Forces came third in 54.36secs (QR1,000).Twenty riders qualified for the Open Class finale while 37 riders were in competition in the Small Class egged on by an appreciate audience.The winners and runners-up received their prizes at the hands of Qatar's Olympian rider and QEF's Event Director Ali al Rumaihi, Al Shaqab's protocol Specialist Ali al Abdullah and Salem al Marri in the Open Class and from Omar al Manni, Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab; Hayen al Hajri, Protocol Specialist Al Shaqab and Nasser al Hajri, Showjumping Grand Jury President, for the Small Tour.On Saturday, the finals of Future Riders Class, Medium and Big Tour will be held from 2pm onwards at Al Shaqab.The entry is open to all. Food courts and pony rides with several other entertainment kiosks have been put up for families.ResultsOpen Class: One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 (115/125cm)pOS Rider Horse Faults Time Prize 1. Jaber Rashid al Ameri Canavaro de Muze (E.T.) 0 66.02secs QR3,750 2. Mohammed Said Haidan Corrado's Coriana 0 60.36 QR3,000 3. Hamad Nasser al Qadi Jazly 0 66.16 QR2,250 4. Salem Rashid al Marri Ulano 0 73.44 QR1,500 5. Ghanim Nasser al Qadi Va Va Voom 0 74.31 QR1,050 6. Salem Rashid al Marri Casmir's Son 0 78.04 QR825 7. Saeed Nasser al Qadi DayDreamer EC 2 84.02 QR600 8. Cyrine Cherif Gerlin VD Waterkant 2 85.64 QR450 9. Saeed Nasser al Qadi Jessico 4 61.37 QR450 10. Hamad Towaim al Marri Firenze 4 66.62 QR375 11. Khalid Sanad al Neami Belucci Van'T Vleminkhof 4 73.18 QR375 12. Cyrine Cherif Eline 5 81.06 QR375SMALL Tour – One round against the clock, Art. 238.1.1 (100/115cm)pOS Rider Horse Faults Time Prize 1. Mohd Salem al Marri Gin Tonic Van de Kranenburg 0 49.90 QR2,500 2. Mohd Khalifa al Baker Looping 46 0 51.70 QR2,000 3. Mohd Taleb al Saaq Diamond Dilemma 0 54.36 QR1,500 4. Jaber Rashid al Ameri Zenit 35 0 55.17 QR1,000 5. Khalifa Abdulla al Khaldi Libaro 2 0 59.00 QR700 6. Tamader Said al Marri Lucky Lady 0 59.80 QR550 7. Mohd Nasser al Qadi Vlacido 0 60.74 QR400 8. Maryam Ahmad al Boinin Frappant 0 61.74 QR300 9. Labeed Ghaleb Suaviter 0 63.27 QR300 10. Abdulla Rashid al Ameri Heart Attach 0 67.26 QR250 11. Khejaim Rashid al Azba Outline de Beaufour 0 68.31 QR250 12. Ahmed Mohd al Marri Senna van de Helle 0 68.58 QR250

Shanan reaches Kuwait ITF Junior Tournament Final

KUWAIT , October 14, 2017 - Qatar's Essa Shanan confidently booked place in the final stage of doubles event at the 11th Kuwait ITF Junior Tournament held in Kuwait on Friday. Shanan and his Lebanese mate Jalal Sadeq outclassed their French opponents Leo Rakan and Mahadi Sadawi ( 6-2 and 6-4) to cruise their way to the final stage. Shanan and his lebanses mate will lock horns against Greek duo in the final match will be held on Saturday.