Qatar’s Samba Storms to Bronze in World 400m Hurdles Final

Tokyo – Qatari star Abderrahman Samba won the bronze medal in the 400m hurdles on Friday at the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, delivering a proud moment for his country.Samba clocked a season-best time of 47.06 seconds to secure third place and step onto the podium. The gold medal went to American Rai Benjamin, who ran a season’s best of 46.52 seconds, while Brazilian Alison dos Santos took silver in 46.84 seconds. Defending champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway finished fifth in 47.58 seconds.Qatar’s second finalist, Ismail Dawood, placed eighth with a time of 49.82 seconds.After the race, Samba expressed his pride and gratitude, describing the medal as the fruit of years of hard work. “It’s an indescribable feeling,” he said, adding that he had overcome long absences and injuries to return to the global stage. While his goal was gold, he was satisfied to stand on the podium at one of the sport’s biggest events.Samba also highlighted Qatar’s growing strength in the 400m hurdles, pointing to the presence of three Qatari athletes in the semifinals as proof of the nation’s progress. He voiced confidence that the next generation would build on this momentum and eventually capture gold. 

Qatar Olympic Committee Empowers Leadership in Cybersecurity and Data Protection

DOHA  – As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance digital resilience and foster a secure organizational environment, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), through its Human Resources and Administrative Affairs Department, hosted a specialized training workshop on Thursday titled: “Cybersecurity for Leaders: Data Protection and Compliance with International Standards.”Held at Lusail Hall at the QOC headquarters, the workshop brought together sector directors and directors of departments and their Assistants  for a focused session designed to elevate leadership awareness and capabilities in managing cybersecurity challenges and protecting sensitive information in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.Led by cybersecurity expert Eng. Mahmoud Al-Dabbagh, the session addressed a wide range of essential topics, including: Email security and phishing detection techniques Organizational policies for device and data protection Mobile security and secure browsing practices Safeguarding personal data privacy in accordance with international standards Responsible and secure use of AI technologies.The workshop was highly interactive, with participants engaging in in-depth discussions, sharing real-world scenarios, and exploring practical solutions. This dynamic exchange enriched the learning experience and reinforced the applicability of the knowledge shared.Mr. Hamad Mohammed Salem Al-Marri, Assistant Director of the Information Systems Department at QOC, emphasized that the workshop is part of a broader, integrated training strategy aimed at building staff capabilities and strengthening the Committee’s overall information security infrastructure. He noted that the high level of engagement from participants reflects a growing institutional awareness of the importance of cybersecurity in protecting organizational data and ensuring operational continuity.This initiative is one of many ongoing training programs conducted by the Qatar Olympic Committee to upskill its workforce and ensure a secure, future-ready digital environment aligned with the highest international standards of data protection, risk management, and operational excellence.

Team Qatar maintain 53rd Spot in FIFA's August World Rankings

Zurich, September 18 – Qatar have retained their 53rd position in FIFA’s World Rankings for August, released on Thursday.The two-time Asian champions collected 1,453.65 points, placing them fifth among Asian and Arab nations.In August, Julen Lopetegui’s side played two friendlies, drawing 2-2 with Bahrain and falling 1-4 to Russia, as part of their build-up to the AFC playoff stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Qatar will host Oman on October 8 and the UAE on October 14 in Doha.In the third round of AFC qualifiers, Qatar finished fourth in Group A with 13 points from 10 matches. Iran led the group with 23 points, followed by Uzbekistan (21), UAE (15), Kyrgyzstan (8), and North Korea (3).On the global stage, Spain returned to the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2014, overtaking Argentina, who slipped to third. France climbed to second, while Germany dropped out of the top 10 to 12th after a 0-2 defeat to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying. 

Qatar’s Shaheen Mohammed Defeats American Rival in Wrestling World Championships Opener

Zagreb – Team Qatar’s wrestling star, Shaheen Mohammed, made a dazzling start to his journey at the 2025 Wrestling World Championships in the Croatian capital, Zagreb. Delivering a commanding performance, he sealed a well-deserved 6–4 victory over the tough American contender Melelashvili in the 82kg weight category.Shaheen is regarded as one of Qatar’s most promising wrestlers, having already claimed a continental bronze medal at the Asian Championships held in Jordan last March. Today, he returned to the global stage with renewed ambition, determined to add another medal to his name while strengthening Qatar’s presence in world wrestling and raising the national flag high.Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Abdullah Hamad Al-Musaifri, Assistant Secretary General of the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation, praised Shaheen’s outstanding display, describing the victory as a strong launch and a promising step forward. He extended his best wishes to Shaheen and his teammates as they aim for more positive results in the remaining rounds of the championship.The 2025 Wrestling World Championships brings together over 900 male and female athletes from 65 nations, running in Zagreb until September 22 in a thrilling atmosphere of global competition.Team Qatar’s delegation features a talented lineup of wrestlers led by Shaheen Mohammed (82kg), alongside Aref Mohamedi (63kg), Saud Al-Mufqai (77kg), and Rafiq Al-Natsheh (72kg), under the guidance of experienced Iranian coach Malek Ali and his Armenian assistant, Kazarian. 

Qatar down Romania to end World Championship with first-ever win

Philippines -  Qatar finished their 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship campaign on a high note, earning their first-ever win in the tournament by beating Romania 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22) on Wednesday in Quezon City, Philippines.Although both teams were already out of contention for the Round of 16, they were determined to make the most of their final match. For Qatar, it was a historic milestone.Romania, playing in their first World Championship since 1982, had the match’s top scorer, Cristian-Daniel Chitigoi, who tallied 16 points. Despite matching Qatar in kills (50) and blocks (9), Romania fell short due to more errors and fewer aces.Later in the day, Poland claimed first place in Pool B with a strong 3-1 win over the Netherlands in a closely contested match between two undefeated teams. The victory left Poland with a perfect 3-0 record, while the Dutch finished second with a 2-1 record. Both teams advanced to the finals.On Saturday, Poland will face Canada, while the Netherlands will go up against Turkiye in the knockout stage.

Team Qatar Wrestlers aim for Global Glory at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb

Zagreb , Croatia – Team Qatar’s Greco-Roman wrestlers step onto the mat this Thursday to begin their campaign at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships, hosted in the Croatian capital Zagreb from September 13 to 22. The tournament brings together over 900 athletes from 65 countries across the globe.Qatari star Shaheen Mohamed (82kg) will open the action with a high-stakes clash against his American counterpart, a contest eagerly anticipated by wrestling fans. His teammate Saoud Al-Mufqai will also launch his campaign in the 77kg category, facing a tough challenge against a formidable Turkish opponent.The journey continues on Thursday, September 19, when Rafeeq Al-Natsha takes on Poland’s contender in the 72kg class. Qatar’s participation will conclude on Friday, September 20, with Aref Mohammadi battling India’s representative in the 63kg category, in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.Speaking ahead of the competition, Mr. Abdullah Hamad Al-Musaifri, Assistant Secretary General of the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation and Head of the Qatari delegation in Zagreb, said: “We are aiming for a strong and positive participation at this world stage, which brings together the finest wrestlers on the planet. Our ambition is to achieve a result that adds real value to our continental record.”He added: “We are also focused on enhancing our athletes’ experience by competing against the best in the world and raising Qatar’s flag high at one of the sport’s most prestigious arenas.”Team Qatar’s squad features a promising lineup led by Shaheen Mohamed (82kg), the Asian bronze medalist from Jordan last March, along with Aref Mohammadi (63kg), Saoud Al-Mufqai (77kg), and Rafeeq Al-Natsha (72kg). The team is guided by veteran Iranian coach Malek Ali and his Armenian assistant Kazarian.