Team Qatar all set to participate in Arab U -18 Athletics Championships

Doha– Qatar’s national youth athletics team is set to participate in the 11th Arab U-18 Athletics Championships, taking place in the Tunisian capital from August 23 to 27, 2025, with wide participation from across the Arab world.The Qatari delegation will be headed by Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, and is scheduled to depart for Tunisia on August 21. The squad travels with high hopes of achieving strong results that reflect the ambitions and ongoing progress of Qatari athletics.The delegation comprises 10 promising athletes competing across multiple track and field events: Idris Abkar and Hussein Mohammed – 110m hurdles, Mubarak Saeed – 1500m, Samer Hussein – 400m, Timo Jumaa – 100m and 200m hurdles, Saleh Mahmoud – shot put and discus throw, Younes Al Baloushi and Abdullah Al Abdullah – pole vaultThe Qatar Athletics Federation views this participation as a key stepping stone in developing a new generation of champions. The experience is expected to provide invaluable exposure and competitive readiness at the regional level, ultimately contributing to the future success of athletics in Qatar.

Qatar’s Olympic and world champion Fares prepares for 94kg debut at 2025 Norway Worlds in October

DOHA - Qatar’s Olympic champion Fares Ibrahim is preparing for a significant new chapter in his weightlifting career as he gears up to compete at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, scheduled to take place in Volda, Norway, from October 1 to 10.The event will mark his first appearance in the 94kg weight category, following recent weight class changes introduced by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).The shift is part of a broader early preparation strategy for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where the 94kg category will be officially adopted. Having previously competed in the now-abolished 102kg category, Fares and his team have identified the 94kg class as the most suitable option technically and physically after careful evaluation.Jassim Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation, and member of the IWF’s Development and Education Committee, emphasized that the move to 94kg was the result of a detailed study of Fares’ capabilities. The decision was made in close consultation with his coach, Ibrahim Hassouna and the technical team, who believe this category aligns best with Fares’ natural physical profile.Al Mansoori added that while the 110kg category was considered as an alternative, Fares’ build is better suited for the 94kg category.He acknowledged the high level of competition expected in the new class but expressed full confidence in Fares’ ability to adapt and emerge as a strong contender.Although the 2025 World Championships are not part of the official Olympic qualification process, Al-Mansoori described the event as a critical testing ground to assess Fares’ performance in the new category. The results will help shape a comprehensive long-term plan for the upcoming qualification period, which begins in China in November 2026 and concludes in Doha in December 2026.“We are counting on Fares Ibrahim not only because he is an Olympic and world champion, but also because he is a role model in determination, discipline and ambition.“We are fully committed to supporting him in this transitional phase and ensuring he continues to raise Qatar’s flag at the highest levels,” Al Mansoori.Fares is Qatar’s first-ever Olympic weightlifting gold medalist, having claimed the 96 kg title at the Tokyo Games.

Ammar Ismail records Asia’s fastest 400m time of 2025

Leuven: Team Qatar’s Ammar Ismail delivered a standout performance at the Voor Mon Meeting in Belgium, clocking 44.90 seconds in the 400m. The result marked not only his season’s best but also the fastest Asian time of the year, underscoring his rise as one of the region’s premier sprinters.This achievement highlights Ismail’s strong preparation ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo, where he is expected to compete as a serious contender. Currently based in Europe for an intensive training camp, he is sharpening his start, refining his race distribution, and building both physical and mental strength for the global stage.Team Qatar’s success extended beyond the 400m. In Germany, Ibrahim Abbas stormed to victory in the 800m at the Sondershausen Meet, finishing in 1:44.90 minutes to continue his excellent European form. Teammate Hatem Hameed also impressed, taking second place in the same race with a new personal best of 1:45.36 minutes. 

Serena Sheikh shines with silver at WTT Youth Contender in Jordan

Amman: Qatari rising star Serena Sheikh captured the silver medal in the U-13 Women’s Singles at the WTT Youth Contender Amman, marking a significant step forward in her young career.Making her debut on the international stage, Serena impressed with her fearless attacking play, advancing comfortably through the group stages before powering her way to the final.In the semifinal, Serena edged out Syria’s Rachel Abboud in a thrilling five-set duel (3–2), demonstrating resilience and composure under pressure. She carried that momentum into the championship match against Iraq’s Athmar Nasser, which also went the distance. Despite her valiant effort, Serena narrowly lost 3–2, finishing with a well-earned silver medal.Her achievement underscores the emergence of a new generation of Qatari table tennis talent and highlights the Qatar Table Tennis Association’s vision to build competitive squads capable of excelling on regional and global stages. Serena’s performance not only boosts her own profile but also strengthens Qatar’s growing legacy in youth table tennis.

Team Qatar to face Lebanon in friendly on August 24

Doha: Spain’s Julen Lopetegui, head coach of Qatar’s senior national football team, has scheduled two friendly matches this August as part of preparations for the Asian playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026.The first match will see Qatar take on Lebanon on August 24 in Doha, followed by a second friendly against the Qatar Olympic team, which is itself preparing for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in Doha starting September 1.Lopetegui plans to use these matches to give playing time to several players who did not feature in last month’s friendlies against Ukraine’s Metalist and Italy’s Udinese during the team’s training camp in Austria.It is worth noting that Qatar will face Bahrain and Russia on September 3 and 7 respectively in Doha, as part of its Asian playoff preparations. Doha will also host the group matches of Qatar’s qualifying campaign, which includes Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The Maroon will first play Oman on October 8, before meeting the UAE on October 14.

Qatar U-16 Basketball Team to take on Algeria in Arab Championship

Doha: Qatar’s under-16 basketball team will look to break their winless streak when they meet Algeria on Thursday in the fourth round of the 22nd Arab Championship for Juniors, taking place at the Cairo International Stadium complex. The game tips off at 5:00 PM in Hall No. 3.The young Qatari side has endured a tough start to the tournament, falling 58-90 to Bahrain, losing a nail-biter 59-61 to Kuwait, and going down 58-79 to host Egypt, despite a strong showing in the third quarter (14-13).Algeria, meanwhile, has been in strong form, collecting five points from three games. They stunned Egypt 76-74 in their opener, suffered an 80-54 loss to Bahrain, and bounced back with a 67-61 victory over Tunisia, boosting their chances of reaching the final.Six nations — Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt — are contesting the title in a single round-robin format, with the top two advancing to the championship game on August 17.For Qatar, Thursday’s clash is more than just a chance to climb the standings — it’s an opportunity to test themselves against one of the competition’s most disciplined sides. The coaching staff will use Wednesday’s rest day to fine-tune defensive assignments, improve offensive efficiency, and prepare the players mentally for a spirited push toward victory.