QTerminals Qatar Classic 2025 to begin on Sunday

Doha: The QTerminals Qatar Classic 2025 stands as a pinnacle event in the global squash calendar, marking the 22nd edition of this prestigious PSA Platinum tournament.Starting from today until October 4 at the state-of-the-art Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the tournament draws 64 elite players—32 men and 32 women—vying for supremacy in a high-stakes battle of skill, endurance, and strategy. As the inaugural Platinum event of the PSA 2025/26 Tour, it underscores Qatar's rising stature as a hub for world-class sports, blending cutting-edge facilities with Qatari hospitality.The tournament features full-size draws of 64 players in both the men’s and women’s events, attracting many of the world’s top-ranked squash athletesAmong the headline stars are Mostafa Asal and Hania El Hammamy, each entering as the top seeds in their respective categories.Asal, the reigning men’s World Champion, will be looking to capture his first Qatar Classic title, while El Hammamy seeks to win for the second time after her 2023 victory.Diego Elias, last year’s champion, returns as men’s No.2 seed, aiming to defend his crown.On the women’s side, world No.3 Nour El Sherbini will try to reverse recent finals results and secure the title.The prize money is set at $231,500 for both the men’s and women’s draws, underlining the event’s prestige and its push for equality. 

Team Qatar defeat Czech Republic in Rio de Janeiro Elite

Rio de Janeiro: Team Qatar’s beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan delivered a stellar performance in Rio de Janeiro, defeating their Czech opponents in straight sets at the prestigious Elite16 Beach Volleyball World Tour.The Qatari duo showcased their trademark power and precision to seal the win 21–14, 21–18, booking their place in the next round where they will face Latvia.The victory marked their second triumph of the tournament, following an opening 2–0 win over Dutch pair Ruben Penninga and Matthew Immers (29–27, 21–14). Despite a narrow 1–2 setback against France’s Theo Rotar and Arnaud Gauthier in their second outing, Cherif and Tijan remain firmly in contention and determined to push deeper into the tournament.Currently ranked ninth in the world with 5,720 points, the Qatari duo are using this elite competition to strengthen their global standing and sharpen their form ahead of upcoming international challenges.Bringing together the world’s top-ranked players, the Elite16 series is regarded as one of the premier stages in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar, offering a showcase of high-intensity matches and world-class talent.

Qatar’s Elite Shooters Celebrate Medal Haul After Arab Championship Triumph

DOHA – Qatar’s shooting champions returned home on Thursday, bringing with them a host of medals and remarkable achievements from the Arab Shotgun Championship held in Tangier, Morocco.At Hamad International Airport, they were warmly received with flowers by officials from the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation, in a gesture honoring their outstanding accomplishments.Leading the reception were Ahmed Mubarak Al-Kuwari, Head of Shotgun section and the Federation’s official spokesperson, and Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Mahdi, team supervisor, who congratulated the athletes on their exceptional performances. The Qatari team secured three medals , two gold  and one silver ,  among a field of 60 competitors representing eight Arab nations.

Qatar wins bid to host the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship

Manila: The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has announced that the State of Qatar has won the bid to host the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. The decision was made during the FIVB Board of Administration meeting held today in Philippine’s capital, Manila.Qatar officially submitted its bid to host the 2029 edition of the Men’s World Championship, which received high praise after thorough review and evaluation by the FIVB. The FIVB officially confirmed Qatar’s selection to host the event, marking a historic milestone as the tournament will be held in the Middle East for the first time in its 70-year history. The decision reflects Qatar’s modern infrastructure, world-class sports facilities, advanced transport networks, and its unwavering commitment to the development of sport in general and volleyball in particular. It also highlights Qatar’s accumulated expertise, human capital, and cultural and organizational legacy in hosting major international sporting events across multiple disciplines.The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions on the FIVB calendar, bringing together 32 national teams from around the world. The tournament enjoys global acclaim due to the high level of competition and the participation of the world’s top volleyball stars, cementing its position as one of the sport’s marquee events.On this occasion, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, said:“Qatar’s hosting of the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship reaffirms our country’s prominent position on the global sporting map as a key and active partner in the Olympic Movement, and a preferred destination for international federations that trust in our organizational capabilities. Over the years, Qatar has proven its ability to successfully host major international championships, thanks to its world-class infrastructure, ideal environment that provides all the conditions for success, and the highly qualified national workforce with extensive experience in organizing top-tier sporting events.”He added: “This milestone represents another step toward fulfilling Qatar’s sporting vision. We continuously strive to expand our partnerships with various international stakeholders, further reinforcing Qatar’s position as a strong contender to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. This reflects our unwavering commitment to Olympic values, youth empowerment, and investment in sport as a means to foster unity among nations and drive sustainable development.”For his part, H.E. Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, expressed pride in Qatar’s successful bid, describing it as a testament to FIVB’s confidence in the country’s organizational capabilities.“We are confident that this edition of the Championship will be the best in the tournament’s history.”  He said.“Qatar’s victory in securing the hosting rights once again affirms its global leadership in organizing major sports events to the highest international standards. We are committed to delivering a unique sporting experience for all participants and fans that reflects Qatar’s prominent position in the global sports landscape.” He added.He also stressed that the Championship would contribute to advancing sustainable development efforts in alignment with the QOC’s Strategic Plan 2023–2030.He also confirmed that preparations for this major global event would begin immediately in coordination with all concerned entities, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to deliver an exceptional edition befitting Qatar’s stature in the world of sports.He concluded by thanking the FIVB for its trust, promising to create the best possible conditions for the participating teams, guests, and fans, and to deliver a world-class event that meets the highest international standards.On the other hand, Mr. Fabio Azevedo, President of the International Volleyball Federation said:“The 2029 Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Qatar will mark another major milestone in the upwards trajectory of volleyball. Through this host decision, which marks another first-time host for our flagship competition, we are partnering with a nation that understands volleyball’s ability to bring communities together, inspire young people and celebrate the positive power of our sport. We look forward to working ‘Together as One’ to help build a powerful legacy through our sport for Qatar and the wider region.”for his part, Mr. Ugo Valensi, CEO of the Volleyball World said:“The Middle East is one of the most dynamic growth markets for volleyball, and we are proud to bring the World Championships to the region for the first time in 2029. Qatar has proven itself as a world-class host of major sporting events and has a passionate volleyball fan base. This tournament is a unique opportunity to deepen that connection, attract new fans, and set new benchmarks for our sport in innovation, presentation and fan experience”Qatar has an impressive track record of hosting major international sporting events, having organized 18 World Championships over the past 20 years. These include the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which was successfully hosted as the first edition in the Middle East and was widely hailed as the best in the tournament’s history, the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), the 2015 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship, the 2016 UCI Road World Championships, the 2018 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games in 2019, the 2023 World Judo Championships, the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships.Doha is also preparing to host other upcoming global events, such as the 2026 World Shooting Championships, the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and the 2030 Asian Games.Qatar’s successful bid to host the championship further strengthens its ambitious track record in organizing major international sporting events. It also aligns with the country’s active participation in ongoing discussions with the International Olympic Committee regarding its bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. Through this endeavor, Qatar reaffirms its deep commitment to promoting Olympic values, empowering youth, and leveraging sport as a bridge between cultures—drawing on its strong sporting legacy, world-class infrastructure, and extensive organizational expertise. 

Qatar’s Abdullah Al Zaraa sets new national record at Berlin Marathon

Berlin: Qatari runner Abdullah Fahad Al Zaraa achieved a new milestone for Qatar athletics by setting a national record in the 2025 Berlin Marathon, one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive long-distance races.Al Zaraa completed the 42.21 km marathon in 2:30:34 hours, setting a new national benchmark in marathon running. He averaged 3 minutes and 34 seconds per kilometer, outperforming several world-class runners with greater international experience.By finishing among the marathon’s top competitors, Al Zaraa automatically qualified for major international marathons in Chicago, Tokyo, Boston, London, and New York. His qualification adds another achievement to Qatar’s athletics, opening the door to multiple opportunities for him to further raise the nation’s profile on the global stage.Al Zaraa’s performance drew attention throughout the race, as he kept pace with elite Kenyan, Ethiopian, Japanese, European, and American runners until the closing stages, where experience ultimately played a decisive role. Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe won the race in 2:06:06, followed by Japan’s Akira Akasaki in second at 2:06:15, and Ethiopia’s Shemdesa Debele in third with 2:06:57.The Berlin Marathon is ranked as one of the world’s top six races accredited by World Athletics. The competition allows the best 20 finishers to qualify for the other five top-tier global marathons, cementing its place as a key gateway to the sport’s highest levels. 

Qatar, UAE book U-17 Gulf Cup semi-final spots

Doha: Qatar secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Oman at the Under-17 Gulf Cup Wednesday to seal their place in the semi-finals.In a tense encounter at the Grand Hamad Stadium, Faisal Saeed struck the decisive goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. The result lifted Team Qatar to six points from two matches, ensuring qualification, while Oman remain without a point.In the group’s other fixture, the UAE came from behind to defeat Yemen 2-1 in a thrilling contest at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Yemen took the lead in the 30th minute through an own goal by Emirati defender Butti al-Junaibi. But the same player made amends with the equaliser in the 74th minute before Mohammed Battar struck the winner in the final minute of regular time.The victory also lifted the UAE to six points, confirming their progress to the semi-finals alongside hosts Qatar. Yemen, like Oman, remain pointless and are out of contention. The group stage continues this week, but with two rounds completed, the identity of Group A’s semi-finalists is already decided, setting up a strong run-in to the knockout phase.