Qatar defeat Saudi Arabia in West Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship Opener

Manama: Qatar’s national volleyball team made a strong start in the inaugural West Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship with a dominant straight-sets victory over Saudi Arabia, winning 25-18, 25-19, 25-14. The tournament, hosted in the Kingdom of Bahrain, features eight national teams competing from July 17 to 27.Team Qatar is placed in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. Following their opening win, they will face Oman on Friday before concluding the group stage against Kuwait on Monday.Group A includes host nation Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, and Lebanon. The competition is organized by the West Asia Volleyball Association as part of its strategy to strengthen regional engagement in the sport, foster talent development, and establish a sustainable platform for continental tournaments.Meanwhile, Qatar’s beach volleyball teams wrapped up their participation in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Pingtung Open, after exiting in the knockout stages.Qatar 1, featuring Saif Al Majid and Mahmoud Essam, reached the quarterfinals but were eliminated after a 0-2 loss to Japan 2 (Takahashi and Ikeda), with set scores of 15–21 and 17–21.Qatar 2, composed of Mehdi Samoud and Mahmoud Essam, saw their run end in the second round. They competed in Group E during the group stage, putting on a strong display, but fell short of qualifying for the final rounds.Despite the early exits, both Qatari teams showcased solid performances, reflecting the steady progress of beach volleyball in the country. Their efforts also offered the technical staff valuable insights to enhance preparations for future tournaments. 

Qatar basketball team fall to South Korea in first friendly match of Seoul Training Camp

Doha: The Qatari national basketball team suffered a 90-71 defeat to South Korea in their first friendly match during its training camp in Seoul, held as part of preparations for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup.The continental tournament is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, featuring 16 competing national teams.The match, hosted at Anyang Gymnasium, provided an opportunity for Qatar's coaching staff, led by Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, to assess player performance and measureprogress in tactical execution ahead of the major competition.The two sides are set to meet again in a second friendly on Sunday at the same venue.Following the conclusion of the Seoul camp, the Qatari team will move into the fourth phase of its preparation by competing in an international friendly tournament in Doha from July 28 to August 1. The tournament will feature national teams from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Japan.Meanwhile, Qatar's reserve national team is continuing its campaign in the 44th William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei. The team is scheduled to face the host nation on Saturday in its seventh game of the tournament, before concluding its participation against Malaysia on the final day.This competition forms part of the reserve team's build-up for the 36th Arab Basketball Championship, which the Arab Basketball Federation recently announced will be hosted by Bahrain from July 25 to August 2, 2025, following Tunisia's withdrawal from organizing the event. 

Qatar’s national basketball team gear up for FIBA Asia Cup

Doha: The Qatar Men’s National Basketball Team has commenced its overseas training camp in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the third phase of its comprehensive preparation program for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, 2025. The tournament will feature Asia’s top 16 national teams.During the camp, Qatar will play two friendly matches against the host nation, South Korea. The first game is scheduled for Friday (1pm Doha Time), while the second will take place on Sunday (July 20), at 9am Doha Time.Mohammed bin Saad Al-Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), will attend the matches and hold official meetings with representatives of the Korean Basketball Association to strengthen institutional and technical cooperation between the two federations.The Qatari delegation is led by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Director of National Teams and Secretary-General of the QBF, alongside Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani, National Teams Manager. The team is coached by Turkish tactician Hakan Demir.The roster features 16 players: Omar Mohammed Saad, Abdulrahman Saad, Ahmed Saeed Mohammed, Zainuddin Al Badri, Al Haji Bobo Magassa, Babacar Dieng, Mohammed Al Sayed, Saidu Al Haj Ndaye, Hamad Yassin, Mustafa Ndao, Ghassan Hajar, Mahmoud Darwish, Tyler James Lee, Brandon Goodwin, Alen Hadzibegovic, and Mohammed Brashir.Al Mughaiseeb emphasized the strategic importance of the camp, stating, “This training camp is a critical step in our preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup. We are focusing on every detail to ensure the team is ready both technically and organizationally. Our early preparation, high-level training camps, and confidence in our players and coaching staff, led by Hakan Demir, position us to meet the expectations of Qatari fans.”He added, “The camp also offers a valuable opportunity to enhance collaboration with the Korean Basketball Association through joint training camps and future friendly matches, fostering mutual growth and expertise exchange.”Al Kuwari echoed these sentiments, noting, “This camp is pivotal for our preparation. Facing a team of South Korea’s caliber provides our players with high-level exposure that will directly enhance our collective performance. We are committed to preparing the team to its fullest potential for the continental championship.”Following the South Korea camp, the team will return to Doha for the fourth phase of preparations, which includes participating in an international friendly tournament at Lusail Multipurpose Hall from July 28 to August 1, 2025.The event will feature Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Japan.Qatar’s preparations began in June with a training camp in Turkey from June 19 to July 3, 2025, which included intensive drills and internal scrimmages. The team then held a short domestic camp in Doha, playing two friendly matches against India on July 11 and 13.At the 31st FIBA Asia Cup, Qatar is drawn in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon. The team will open its campaign with a highly anticipated match against Lebanon on August 6, 2025.The tournament follows a group-stage format, with the top team from each group advancing directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams compete in crossover play-offs to determine the remaining quarter-finalists. 

Team Qatar Summer 2025” Debut Edition Concludes with Remarkable Success

Doha – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) wrapped up the first-ever edition of the Team Qatar Summer 2025 program with great success. Held from July 6 to 16, the program was filled with excitement, energy, and creativity, bringing together the sons and daughters of QOC staff for ten unforgettable days.A total of 48 children ,  25 boys and 23 girls aged between 8 and 12 ,  took part in the program, which offered a perfect mix of fun and learning. From sports and teamwork to exploring Qatari culture and Olympic values, every moment was designed to build confidence, skills, and friendships.The children enjoyed a wide range of activities, including: Shooting practice at the Qatar Shooting & Archery Association, A fun and educational trip to the 1-2-3 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, A taste of horseback riding in the “Little Rider” event.And a thrilling self-defence session called “Defend Yourself” at Aspire Dome, where they learned basic martial arts and how to stay safe and strong. The program wasn’t just about having fun, it also helped discover young talents in a safe and encouraging environment. The kids worked in teams, faced new challenges, and learned discipline and sportsmanship, all under the guidance of professional coaches and supervisors.To end the program, a special closing ceremony was held to honor the children who stood out with their creativity, effort, and great behaviour. The goal was to boost their self-confidence and encourage them to keep growing and dreaming big.Ms. Najla Al-Khayareen, Executive Director of the program, expressed her happiness with the outcome, saying: “We’re so proud of what we achieved in this first edition of Team Qatar Summer 2025. The children’s excitement and commitment were amazing to see. Thanks to great teamwork and planning, everything went smoothly, and most importantly, the kids had a wonderful time.”She added: “We hope this program becomes a lasting platform to discover and develop young talent in Qatar and to spread Olympic values among the next generation.” 

Qatar drawn with UAE and Oman for Playoffs of Asian qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2026

Kuala Lumpur: Team Qatar have been drawn along side the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman for the Playoffs of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026.The six-team draw was held at the Asian Football Confederation’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.Qatar will also play host to Group A with matches against UAE and Oman to be played the in a single round-robin format scheduled for October 8 to 14 in the fourth round at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.The group toppers will book ticket next year’s global showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico while the second-placed teams from both groups will square off in a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18. This knockout stage will determine the Continent’s representative at the FIFA Playoff Tournament, which offers one final qualifying opportunity.Qatar, being coached by SpaniardJulen Lopetegui, are currently training in Austria, aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit after having made their debut as hosts in 2022, advanced to the playoffs after finishing fourth in Group A of the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.UAE, seeking a second appearance at the Finals following their debut in the 1990 edition, finished third in Group A while Oman - hoping for a debut appearance at the global showpiece - finished fourth in Group B.Oman, under the guidance of newly-appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz, are the only side hunting a historic maiden FIFA World Cup appearance.On the other side, Patrick Kuivert’s Indonesia got a tough draw as they try to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.Coached by former Barcelona star and Dutch great Kluivert, Indonesia will play hosts Saudi Arabia and Iraq in Group B.Indonesia have embarked on a recruitment drive of Dutch-born players and backroom staff to bolster their bid for a first World Cup finals berth since becoming an independent nation.Jordi Cruyff, son of Dutch football legend Johan, was in February appointed technical adviser to the Football Association of Indonesia to work alongside Kluivert.Indonesia last qualified for a World Cup while still under Dutch colonial rule and lost 6-0 to Hungary in their only match of that tournament, hosted by France.They will face a difficult task against Middle East giants Saudi Arabia, who have home advantage and will be heavily favoured to top Group B.The Saudis have qualified for the World Cup on seven previous occasions including the last two editions.Iraq have only qualified once in their history, in 1986.A draw was also held to determine the host team of the knockout stage, with the Group A runners-up to host the first leg.Australia, Japan, Jordan, Iran, South Korea and Uzbekistan have already secured their World Cup berths from the Asian confederation.Draw Result (Matches to be played between Oct 8 and 14)Group A: Qatar (H), UAE, OmanGroup B: Saudi Arabia (H), Iraq, Indonesia 

Qatar teams off to bright start at AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open

Pingtung: Qatar teams got off to a brilliant start at the AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open, which began at the scenic Qinzhou Beach in Chinese Taipei on Thursday.In a competitive field featuring 45 teams – including 24 in the men’s division – Qatari pairs stamped their authority early with commanding victories in their opening matches. In Pool D, Saifeddine Binaziz Elmajid and Assam Ahmed Mahmoud cruised past Chinese Taipei’s Tzulin Chuang and Chenggang Hu 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) in just 34 minutes.They will now face a tougher test against Thailand’s Pithak Tipjan and Wachirawit Muadpha [4]. In Pool E, Mahdi Badreddin Sammoud and Mohamed Ihab Zaki made light work of Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Mahfouz and Hadi Aljorfi, claiming a 2-0 win (21-12, 21-12) in 30 minutes.They are set to meet Japan’s Kai Kurokawa and Ryuichi Adachi next. The tournament offers a US$2,500 prize for the men’s and women’s champions, adding to the stakes as Qatar aims for a deep run in the prestigious continental event.