Qatar kick off Asia Cup campaign against Lebanon

Doha: The Qatar national basketball team will face Lebanon in a highly-anticipated opening match of the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025, hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, today. The tournament features 16 competing teams and will conclude on August 17.The clash, set for 9pm today marks the start of Group A, widely regarded as the toughest in Asia Cup history, featuring Qatar, Lebanon, South Korea and defending champions Australia, winners of the 2017 and 2022 editions. This formidable group intensifies the challenge for all teams vying for the top spot or qualification to the knockout stages.Returning to the competition after an eight-year absence, Qatar, under the guidance of Turkish coach Hakan Demir, blends international experience with youthful energy. The squad boasts a balanced roster, including American professional Brandon Goodwin, alongside Alain Hadzibegovic, Seydou Ndoye, Zain Eddin Badri, Tyler Harris, Aladji Magassa, Omar Saad, Mustafa Ndao, Mohammed Bashir, Babacar Dieng, Abdulrahman Saad, and Mahmoud Darwish.The delegation is led by Saadoun Sabah al-Kuwari, General Secretary of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, supported by team manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashknani and administrative assistant Nabil Juma.The technical staff, headed by Coach Demir, includes assistants Cengiz Karadag, Abdu Su, Attila Yapcilar, and Mohammed Fural, with medical support from Dr. Adel Salem, Dr. Adel Hormia, and physiotherapist Nikasio Sagayno.Qatar though underdogs will not be taken lightly by anyone as they are hungry to prove themselves worthy, being the hosts of the next FIBA Basketball World Cup set in 2027. Not only are they gearing up for the sport's biggest stage but Qatar are also looking to bring the country back to medal contention in the tilt, something that they haven't done in about two decades.The last time Qatar stood at the podium was in 2005 in their own home soil, where they completed a back-to-back bronze finish - which to this day remain as the only medals they've won in this event.Lebanon, runners-up in the previous edition and four-time finalists, enter the tournament with high ambitions, led by star player Wael Arakji, alongside Omar Jamaluddin, Ali Mansour, Ali Mezher, Sergio Darwish, and others, under Serbian coach Miodrag Perisic.Qatar’s Group A journey continues with matches against South Korea on August 8 and Australia on August 10. Group B includes Japan, Iran, Syria, and Guam; Group C comprises China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia; while Group D features the Philippines, New Zealand, Iraq, and Chinese Taipei.The tournament follows a group-stage format, with group leaders advancing directly to the quarterfinals, while second- and third-placed teams compete in crossover elimination matches to determine the remaining qualifiers.Historically, Lebanon holds the record as the top Arab team, reaching the finals in 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2022. Qatar achieved notable success with third-place finishes in 2003 and 2005. China leads the Asia Cup with 16 titles, followed by the Philippines with five, Iran with three, and Australia with two. No Arab team has yet claimed the title, despite ongoing efforts to elevate their standing in Asia.The FIBA Asia Cup, initiated in 1960 in Manila, Philippines, as the ABC Championship, has long served as a qualifier for the World Championship and Olympics, with the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea among its early champions. 

Team Qatar to compete in 9th Round of Longines Global Champions Tour in London

Doha: The Qatari equestrian team is preparing to take part in the ninth round of the Longines Global Champions Tour for Show Jumping, as well as the Global Champions League team competition, which will be hosted in London from August 8 to 10, with the participation of some of the world’s top riders.Qatar will be represented in the team competition by the Doha Falcons, a lineup that features top Qatari riders: Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani, Bassem Hassan Mohammed, and Rashid Towaim Al Marri, alongside international teammates Wilm Vermeir and Jérôme Guery from Belgium, and Giacomo Casadei from Italy. The team boasts a powerful combination of experience and exceptional skill.In the individual five-star category, Qatari rider Bassem Hassan Mohammed will compete among a stellar field of international show jumping stars, including Britain’s Scott Brash, a three-time winner in London, his compatriot Ben Maher, a three-time Grand Prix champion, and the reigning London Grand Prix titleholder Harry Charles.After eight rounds, Belgium’s Gilles Thomas leads the overall championship standings with 183 points, followed by France’s Simon Delestre with 158 points, and Germany’s Andreas Schou in third with 126 points.

Team Qatar advance to fifth in FIVB Beach Volleyball World Rankings

Lausanne: Qatar’s men’s beach volleyball team, composed of the duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, has moved to fifth place in the FIVB World Rankings, according to the latest update released today by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The team was previously ranked fourth.Team Qatar accumulated 5,580 points from their participation in 10 tournaments this season.On the other hand, Norway’s Anders Berntsen Mol and Christian Sørum maintained their position at the top of the global rankings with 8,160 points. Sweden’s David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig moved up to second place with 6,540 points, while Argentina’s Nicolás Capogrosso and Tomás Capogrosso dropped to third with 6,520 points.The Dutch duo Stefan Boermans and Matthew Immers de Groot currently hold fourth place with 6,088 points.

Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Fiji Rugby Union

Doha – The Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee has announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with the Fiji Rugby Union, marking a major step towards strengthening institutional ties and advancing the development of rugby on both the technical and administrative levels.The agreement also aims to enhance governance practices, promote knowledge exchange, and implement specialized training programs and high-level workshops to build local capacity and develop national talent.The signing ceremony took place at Lusail Hall in the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters. The agreement was signed by Mr. Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee, and Mr. John Ian Nasson Sanday, Director of the Fiji Rugby Union. The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Siddiq Faizal Riyad Koya, Fiji’s non-resident ambassador to Qatar, along with several officials and rugby stakeholders.Under the agreement, both parties will cooperate in organizing joint training camps, hosting specialized sporting events and competitions, and launching technical and developmental workshops targeting players, coaches, referees, and administrators. These initiatives are designed to contribute to the regional and international growth of the sport.Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Al Kuwari stated: “This agreement marks a strategic milestone in our plan to grow rugby in Qatar. We are proud to collaborate with one of the world’s leading rugby unions, and we look forward to building a fruitful partnership that enhances national capabilities and opens new horizons for international success.”For his part, Mr. John Ian welcomed the initiative and expressed Fiji’s interest in expanding sports cooperation with Qatar. He said: “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to strengthening sporting relations and lays the foundation for joint initiatives that will support the global development of rugby.”The agreement forms part of the Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee’s broader strategy to build a strong network of international partnerships, aligned with global best practices, and to establish a professional ecosystem that elevates Qatar’s presence on the global rugby stage.

Qatar basketball team gear up for Asia Cup clash with Lebanon

Doha: The Qatar National Basketball Team is ramping up its preparations for the highly-anticipated match against Lebanon, scheduled for Wednesday (9pm) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.It is the opening fixture for both teams in Group A of the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025, hosted by Saudi Arabia for the second time, following its successful organization of the 1997 edition in Riyadh.The tournament draw placed Qatar in the formidable Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon, widely regarded as one of the toughest groups due to the high caliber of the competing teams. Qatar’s campaign will continue with a match against South Korea on August 8, followed by a challenging encounter with Australia on August 10 to conclude the group stage.The tournament features four groups: Group B includes Japan, Iran, Syria, and Guam; Group C comprises China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia; and Group D consists of the Philippines, New Zealand, Iraq, and Chinese Taipei. Under the competition format, group leaders advance directly to the quarterfinals, while second- and third-placed teams compete in crossover knockout matches to determine the remaining qualifiers.The Qatari delegation is led by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, General-Secretary of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, supported by Jasim Ibrahim Ashkanani as Team Manager and Nabil Juma as Assistant Manager. The team is coached by Turkish tactician Hakan Demir, with assistants Cengiz Karadag, Abdu Su, Atilla Yapciger, and Mohammed Fural. The medical staff includes Dr. Adel Selim, Dr. Adel Hormia, and physiotherapist Nikasio Sagayno.Qatar’s 12-player roster features Brandon Goodwin, Alen Hadzibegovic, Seydou Ndai, Zain Eddin Badri, Tyler Harris, Aladji Magassa, Omar Saad, Mustafa Ndao, Mohammed Bashir, Babacar Dieng, Abdulrahman Saad, and Mahmoud Darwish.The FIBA Asia Cup, held every four years, is a premier continental championship, featuring top teams including defending champions Australia (winners in 2017 and 2022), Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, the Philippines, India, Chinese Taipei, Iraq, Guam, Qatar, Iran, South Korea, China, and Syria. Historically, China leads with 16 titles, while the Philippines, Lebanon, Iran, and South Korea remain strong contenders. The inaugural edition was held in Manila in 1960, with Oceania teams joining the competition in recent years.The host nation, Saudi Arabia, will kick off the tournament against China on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, with the opening ceremony taking place during halftime. The ceremony will feature a four-minute 3D light and visual show, a three-minute performance of the official tournament anthem, a professional acrobatic display, and an engaging halftime interactive segment for fans, blending lighting, music, and dynamic performances to celebrate the event’s identity. 

Qatari riders excelled in two international championships in Italy, the Netherlands

Doha– Qatari riders continued to make their mark on the international equestrian scene with outstanding performances at two major championships held in Italy and the Netherlands.At the Cervia International Championship in Italy, rider Salman Mohammed Al Emadi secured an impressive third-place finish in the CSI2 (140 cm time trial - Rule 238.2.1) category. Representing the Wathnan team aboard Toblerone OS, Al Emadi showcased exceptional skill in a highly competitive field.Meanwhile, in the Valkenswaard International Championship in the Netherlands, riders from the Qatari national team and the Al Shaqab Academy stood out in the CSI2 120 cm category. Their strong performances reflected the high level of training and preparedness cultivated by the academy, reinforcing Qatar’s growing stature in international equestrian sport.Adding to the accolades, rider Ibrahim Yousef Al Mahmoud claimed first place in the 135 cm category on the final day of the Longines Global Rising Champions Cup, further underlining the elite status of Qatari equestrianism on the global stage.These accomplishments highlight the sustained efforts to develop Qatari riders’ capabilities and demonstrate the rising competitiveness of Qatar’s presence in international equestrian competitions—both at the individual and team levels.