Qatar Volleyball Gears Up for World Championship with Iran Showdown

DOHA  – Qatar’s national volleyball team will continue its final preparations for the FIVB World Championship with a high-profile friendly against Iran on Sunday evening at the Federation Hall in Doha.The clash comes as part of a busy warm-up schedule designed to sharpen the team ahead of the global tournament, set for September 12–28 in the Philippines.Qatar has been holding intensive daily training sessions at its domestic camp and recently tested itself in two competitive friendlies against Egypt, both ending in draws. The matches showcased Qatar’s resilience, with the team fighting back in both encounters to level the series after dropping early sets.The build-up continues with a second meeting against Iran on Tuesday, before a three-game series against Ukraine on September 4, 6, and 7 – the last stop before the squad departs for Manila.Qatar faces a challenging path in the World Championship, having been drawn into Group B alongside world No. 1 and defending champions Poland, the Netherlands, and Romania. The Maroons open their campaign on September 13 against the Netherlands, followed by a showdown with Poland on September 15, before concluding the group stage against Romania on September 17.This will be Qatar’s second World Championship appearance, after making its debut in 2022 in Poland and Slovenia. With the tournament expanding to 32 teams for the first time since 1998, Qatar is aiming to build on its experience and make a strong statement against some of the world’s top volleyball nations.

Team Qatar shines with Two Gold and Two Silver at Arab Aquatics Championships

Casablanca - Team Qatar delivered another stellar performance at the 4th Arab Age-Group Aquatics Championships, underway in the Kingdom of Morocco until September 1, adding two gold medals and two silvers to its growing tally.Rising star Adam Morsi struck gold in the boys’ 50m breaststroke (13–14 age group), touching the wall in 31.23 seconds to set a new Arab record.In the senior ranks, Mohamed Mahmoud powered to victory in the men’s 50m breaststroke (open category), clocking an impressive 28.53 seconds to secure Qatar’s third gold of the tournament.Qatar’s medal haul continued as Hamza Shaalan earned silver in the boys’ 50m breaststroke (17–18 age group) with a time of 29.13 seconds, before teaming up with Ahmed Diab, Abdullah Al-Ghamri, and Aziz Ismail to claim another silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay, where the quartet finished in 7:55.80 minutes.With athletes from 19 Arab nations competing across swimming, water polo, and open-water events, the championships showcase the best of regional talent  and Qatar has firmly made its mark.

Team Qatar battles to thrilling Draw with Kuwait in Gulf U-20 Cup Opener

ABHA -  Team Qatar’s U-20s kicked off their Gulf Cup journey with a spirited display, holding Kuwait to a 2–2 draw in a lively Group A opener on Thursday at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia.The clash had drama from the start. Kuwait struck early through Mohammed Al-Mulla inside five minutes, but Qatar answered swiftly, with Richard Robert leveling in the 16th minute. Just as momentum shifted, Abdullah Khalifa restored Kuwait’s lead in the 27th minute, only for Ahmed Nasser to fire back almost instantly to make it 2–2 before the half-hour mark.The first half ended with both sides trading blows, while the second half turned into a tactical battle. Spanish head coach Emmanuel Infante made smart adjustments, tightening Qatar’s defense and giving his side more control in midfield. Despite the pressure, neither team found the breakthrough as the match ended all square.The draw leaves Qatar and Kuwait tied on one point apiece, while hosts Saudi Arabia top Group A after edging Yemen 1–0 in their opener.Next up, Team Qatar will look to build momentum against Yemen on Sunday at Damac Stadium before a high-stakes clash with hosts Saudi Arabia on September 3.This year’s Gulf U-20 Championship, running until September 9, features two groups: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen in Group A; and Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, and Egypt , the latter competing as a guest nation after the UAE’s withdrawal – in Group B. The semifinals are set for September 7, with the grand finale on September 10.

Qatar Olympic Committee Honors Participants of Inaugural Team Qatar Summer Program 2025

DOHA  – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), through its Sports Events Department, hosted a special ceremony on Wednesday  to honor the participants of the first edition of the Team Qatar Summer Program 2025. The event was attended by senior QOC officials, representatives of national federations, and parents.The ceremony was graced by Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of Sports Sector  at the QOC, Sheikh Ahmed bin Nooh Al Thani, Secretary-General of the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation, and Mr. Jassem Shaheen Al Sulaiti, Secretary-General of the Qatar Shooting & Archery Federation, along with several QOC directors and officials.The celebration marked the resounding success of the inaugural program, which ran from 6 to 16 July and was dedicated to boys and girls aged 8 to 12, all children of QOC employees.A total of 48 children (25 boys and 23 girls) took part in a wide range of sports, recreational, and educational activities designed to strengthen personal skills, promote Olympic values, and instill the spirit of sportsmanship.Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani emphasized that the success of the program reflects the QOC’s vision of fostering a culture of community sport. He said: “We are proud to celebrate the participants of the first Team Qatar Summer Program, which provided a valuable platform for talent discovery and development. This initiative reflects our commitment to launching unique programs that prepare an aware and skilled generation capable of carrying forward Qatar’s proud sporting legacy.”Parents expressed their gratitude to the QOC for this innovative initiative, which combined education and entertainment while enriching their children’s summer break in a positive and inspiring atmosphere. They highlighted how the program helped boost self-confidence and uncovered new talents and passions in a safe, professional environment.On this occasion, Ms. Najlaa Mohammed Alkhayareen, Executive Director of team Qatar Summer 2025 Program, praised the program’s success from its launch to its conclusion, emphasizing that it fully met the planned objectives. She added: “The success of this first edition of the Team Qatar Summer Program this year motivates us to move forward with even greater steps toward the next edition. We look forward to welcoming you to the second edition in the summer of 2026, which will meet everyone’s aspirations.”Ms. Maryam Al Moajaba, Acting Director of the Team Qatar Summer Program, said: “This program embodies the QOC’s commitment to supporting future generations. We are proud of the positive engagement witnessed in this first edition, launched in alignment with the QOC’s 2023–2030 vision. The program has revealed promising talents across several activities, and we are working to develop it into an annual event that children eagerly look forward to.”The ceremony featured a video presentation showcasing highlights of the program, followed by the distribution of appreciation certificates and gifts to all participants. Special awards were also presented to outstanding boys and girls who excelled in various activities, in recognition of their achievements and to encourage them to continue their journey of excellence and creativity.The organizing committee of the program extended its sincere thanks and appreciation to the supporting and cooperating entities whose contributions played a key role in the program’s success, foremost among them the Qatari sports federations , namely, the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation, the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation, and the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation , in addition to the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.Appreciation was also expressed to the program’s official sponsors, Sports Corner and 51 East, who were recognized during the ceremony for their valuable contributions and true spirit of partnership, which directly enhanced the success and distinction of the initiative.

Qatar Athletics Team Secure 9 Medals at Arab Junior Championships in Tunisia

DOHA – Qatar’s athletics team concluded their campaign at the 11th Arab Junior Championships in Tunisia with an impressive haul of nine medals: four gold, two silver, and three bronze. The championship, which wrapped up on Thursday, featured athletes from 15 participating countries.Qatar’s gold medals were claimed by Saleh Mahmoud in the shot put, Younis Al Balushi in the pole vault, Mubarak Saeed in the 1,500m, and Abdul Razzaq Idris in the 400m hurdles.Silver medals went to Timo Juma in the 100m and Abdullah Al Abdullah in the pole vault, while the bronze medals were earned by Hussein Mohammed in the 110m hurdles, Saleh Mahmoud in the discus throw, and Timo Juma in the 200m.The Qatari delegation included a talented group of track and field athletes: Samer Hussein (1,500m), Timo Juma (100m and 200m), Idris Abkar and Hussein Mohammed (110m hurdles), Abdul Razzaq Idris and Abkar Idris (400m hurdles), Mubarak Saeed (1,500m), Abdullah Al Abdullah and Younis Al Balushi (pole vault), and Saleh Mahmoud (shot put and discus throw).

Qatar Claims Gold at Arab Aquatics Championships in Morocco

Casablanca – Qatar’s Ali Sayed captured the gold medal in the 50m butterfly (general category) at the 4th Arab Aquatics Championships for Age Groups, currently underway in the Kingdom of Morocco and running through September 1.Sayed clocked a time of 24.11 seconds to secure Qatar’s first gold medal of the tournament.The championship brings together athletes from 19 Arab nations and includes competitions in swimming, water polo, and open water swimming.