Qatar unveils star-Studded Lineup for World Athletics Championships

DOHA  – The Qatar Athletics Federation has unveiled the squad that will represent the nation at the World Athletics Championships, set to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.In a statement posted on its official account on “X,” the Federation confirmed the participation of 12 athletes, aiming to build on Qatar’s global success and further highlight its strength in athletics. The squad includes: Mutaz Barshim, Abderrahman Samba, Ismail Dawood, Omar Dawood, Bassem Hemeida, Saif Mohammed, Ashraf Hussein, Ammar Ismail, Ibrahim Zakaria, Khalid Hussein, Abdulaziz Youssef, and Ahmed Haroun.Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim, a three-time consecutive gold medalist in the high jump (London 2017, Doha 2019, Eugene 2022), headlines the team. He is joined by hurdler Abderrahman Samba, bronze medalist in the 400m hurdles at Doha 2019, and fellow hurdler Bassem Hemeida.Barshim and Samba are regarded as Qatar’s strongest medal hopes, alongside the 4x400m relay team comprising Ashraf Hussein, Bassem Hemeida, Ismail Dawood, and Ammar Ismail.The squad also features 23-year-old Saif Mohammed, who will make his World Championships debut in the pole vault, as well as Omar Dawood in the 110m hurdles, Ammar Ismail, Khalid Hussein, Abdulaziz Youssef, and Ahmed Haroun in the 400m, and Ibrahim Zakaria in the 800m.The Tokyo World Championships will bring together over 2,000 athletes from more than 200 countries, competing across 100 medal events. 

Qatari Volleyball Team Heads to the Philippines for World Championship

DOHA  – The Qatari national volleyball team will fly to Manila on Tuesday to compete in the FIVB Volleyball World Championship, hosted by the Philippines from September 12 to 28.This marks Qatar’s second appearance in the FIVB World Championship, following their debut in the 2022 edition in Poland and Slovenia.The team’s preparation included an intensive training camp in Doha, featuring seven friendly matches: two against Egypt, two against Iran, and three against Ukraine.Drawn into Group B, Qatar will face the world’s top-ranked and defending champion Poland, along with the Netherlands and Romania. The team will open its campaign against the Netherlands on September 13, meet Poland two days later, and conclude the first round against Romania on September 17.Saeed Gumaa Al Hitmi, Board Member of the Qatar Volleyball Association and head of the national team delegation, said preparations followed a detailed plan, including rigorous internal training and strong preparatory matches.“This participation is an important chance for our team to gain valuable experience against top international opponents,” Al Hitmi stated. “The challenge will be tough, but our recent victory at the West Asian Championship in Bahrain has boosted the team’s morale, motivating them to showcase a strong performance in their second World Championship appearance.” 

Asian Handball Federation Announces Schedule for Asian U-17 Championship

Kuwait  - The Asian Handball Federation has announced the schedule for the first Asian U-17 Championship, which will be held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, from September 15 to 25.The championship serves as a qualifier for the World Championship in Morocco.The Qatari national team, drawn in Group B, is scheduled to begin its tournament against China on Tuesday, September 16, before facing Saudi Arabia in their second match the following day.Group A includes Kuwait, Bahrain, and Hong Kong. Group C includes Jordan, Chinese Taipei, and India. Group D includes South Korea, Iran, the Maldives, and Syria.The top two teams from each group will advance to the main round, during which the eight qualified teams will be divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals.The Asian champion and runner-up will represent Asia in the inaugural World U-17 Handball Championship, which will be held in Morocco from October 24 to November 1.  

Intensive Preparations Underway for QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship 2025

DOHA  – The Qatar Squash Federation is in the final stages of preparation for the QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship 2025, set to take place from September 28 to October 4 at the Khalifa International Complex, featuring 64 of the world’s top-ranked male and female players.This event marks the first Platinum tournament of the 2025–2026 Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, highlighting its prestige on the international squash calendar.Leading the star-studded line-up are World No. 1 Mostafa Asal of Egypt and Women’s World No. 1 Nouran Gohar, reflecting the tournament’s elite status. The men’s draw will also feature the return of Peru’s Diego Elias, World No. 2 and 2024 champion, alongside New Zealand’s Paul Coll (No. 3), Wales’ Joel Makin (No. 4), and England’s Marwan and Mohamed El Shorbagy.For the host nation, World No. 22 Abdulla Al Tamimi will lead the Qatari squad, joined by Salem Al Malki and Ali Al Darwish, both competing as wildcard entries.In the women’s competition, Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini, World No. 2 and reigning 2024 champion, headlines the field, alongside compatriot Hania El Hammamy (No. 3) and England’s Georgina Kennedy (No. 4).The tournament offers a $231,500 prize pool for both men and women, reinforcing its position as one of the most prestigious Platinum events on the PSA World Tour.Tariq Zainal, Secretary-General of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel, and Badminton Federation and Tournament Director, stated that the federation is finalizing all organizational and technical arrangements to deliver a world-class championship worthy of its legacy. He emphasized that hosting such a top-tier group of athletes demonstrates the international sporting community’s confidence in Qatar’s ability to stage major events to the highest global standards.Zainal also expressed appreciation to QTerminals, the title sponsor, and other partners for their continued support in enhancing the tournament’s global stature.Ticket sales have already been launched via the federation’s official website, giving fans the opportunity to attend the matches and cheer on their favorite players. 

Qatar Women’s Sports Committee Hosts Workshop on Fatima bint Mubarak Award

Doha – The Qatar Women’s Sports Committee organized an introductory workshop on the ninth edition of the Fatima bint Mubarak Women’s Sports Award, set to take place in 2025. The event was held at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters with the participation of a delegation from the award’s organizing committee in the United Arab Emirates, alongside athletes, administrators, and representatives from Qatari sports federations.Maha Yousef Al Abduljabbar, Assistant Secretary of the Committee, described the award as a pioneering Arab initiative that empowers women in sports. She underscored Qatar’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s athletics and supporting female champions across multiple disciplines.She also pointed to the remarkable progress achieved in women’s sports in Qatar, reflected in strong regional and international participation, and expressed her hope that Qatari athletes will continue to shine and earn recognition through the award.Amna Al Qasimi, Executive Director of the Committee, urged athletes, administrators, and coaches in Qatar to take part in the upcoming edition, stressing the importance of showcasing the growth and strength of women’s sports in the country. 

Russia defeat Team Qatar 4–1 in Doha Friendly as Playoff Battle Looms

DOHA  – Qatar were defeated 4–1 by Russia in a friendly match played today at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, part of their preparations for the upcoming AFC fourth-round playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026.Akram Afif netted Qatar’s only goal in the 61st minute, while Russia struck through Aleksandr Golovin (33’), Matvey Kislyak (35’), Ivan Sergeev (45’), and Aleksei Miranchuk (68’).It was Qatar’s second international test of the September FIFA window, following their 2–2 draw with Bahrain last Wednesday.Currently ranked 53rd in the world, Qatar have been drawn in Group A of the playoff round alongside the UAE and Oman. Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia.The playoffs will be staged in a single round-robin format from October 8 to 14, with Qatar hosting Group A and Saudi Arabia hosting Group B.Qatar open their campaign against Oman on October 8 before facing the UAE on October 14. The UAE and Oman will meet on October 11.Under the format, the top team from each group will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the runners-up will contest a two-legged playoff on November 13 and 18. The winner will then advance to the intercontinental playoff for a final qualification spot.