Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Announces Candidacy for President of the Olympic Council of Asia

Doha, Qatar | His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), has officially announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), reaffirming his commitment to contributing to the development and unity of Asian sport in the years ahead.The announcement follows the Olympic Council of Asia’s official call for nominations for the presidential elections, issued on 15 July 2025, in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly, which will be held in January 2026 in the city of Tashkent.On this occasion, H.E. Sheikh Joaan expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to H.E. Raja Randhir Singh, the current OCA President, for his significant contributions and dedicated leadership in advancing Asian sport, as well as his unwavering commitment to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among National Olympic Committees across the continent. His Excellency also fully supported the OCA Executive Board’s decision to appoint H.E. Raja Randhir Singh as Honorary Life President of the Olympic Council of Asia, in recognition of his longstanding service and enduring legacy within the Olympic Movement in Asia.H.E. Sheikh Joaan affirmed that his candidacy is rooted in a strong belief in the power of sport to foster development and unity among nations. He emphasized the potential of Asian sport to achieve transformational progress in areas such as governance, sustainability, digital transformation, and athlete empowerment.He also highlighted the importance of promoting fairness in opportunity distribution, strengthening collaboration among NOCs, enhancing sports infrastructure, and creating greater platforms for youth and women to take part in shaping the future of sport in Asia.His Excellency’s candidature is built on an ambitious strategic vision for Asian sport, grounded in five core pillars: solidarity, digital transformation, sustainable development, credibility, and economic and financial resilience. It is underpinned by His Excellency’s extensive experience in sports, his proven track record at the helm of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and his active role within the international Olympic Movement, particularly as Senior Vice President of ANOC.The upcoming OCA election is expected to draw significant interest from the international sporting community, amid growing global challenges and the need for dynamic leadership that promotes transparency, cooperation, and innovation across the Asian sports landscape.Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Kuwait City, the Olympic Council of Asia is one of the most prominent continental sports organizations. It brings together 45 National Olympic Committees and plays a pivotal role in coordinating regional sports activities, supporting development initiatives, and enhancing cooperation in governance, infrastructure, and institutional capacity building.The OCA also oversees the organization of major multi-sport events including the Asian Games, Asian Winter Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games, and the Asian Youth Games - competitions that continue to elevate Asia’s sporting profile on the world stage. 

Qatar’s Ismael qualifies for Tokyo Worlds

Marseille: Qatar athlete Ismael Doudai Abakar has secured a spot at the World Athletics Championships after a brilliant victory at the Meeting International de Marseille in France. Abakar won the 400m hurdles in a new meet record time of 48.49 seconds, dipping just inside the 48.50s entry standard required for the global event. The performance highlights his excellent form, improving upon his 48.75s run in Ostrava last month.Joining Abakar in Tokyo at the September 13-21 Worlds would be the nation’s 4x400m relay squad, featuring Abderrahman Samba, Bassem Hemeida, Ashraf Hussen Osman, and Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim. Hemeida (400m hurdles) and Ibrahim (400m) are also set to compete in the individual events following their qualification as reigning Asian Champions. 

Team Qatar defeat UAE in William Jones International Tournament Opener

Beijing:  The Qatari national basketball team got off to a strong start at the William Jones International Tournament, securing an 80–74 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the opening game held in Taipei, China. The tournament runs through July 20.In a tightly contested match, the UAE side started strong and took the first quarter 16–11. However, Qatar quickly responded with an impressive comeback, dominating the second and third quarters 27–16 and 24–15, respectively, to establish a commanding lead.Despite a late push from the UAE in the final quarter (27–18), the Qatari team held their ground and clinched the win with a six-point margin.Qatar’s participation in the tournament follows an official invitation from the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association, underscoring the national team's growing reputation in Asian basketball circles.Qatar will continue their campaign with games against Japan on July 13, Australia on July 14, the Philippines on July 15, Chinese Taipei B on July 16, Bahrain on July 17, Chinese Taipei A on July 19, and Malaysia on July 20.The tournament serves as a key part of Qatar’s preparations for upcoming regional competitions, offering valuable match experience against diverse international opponents. 

Qatar's Daniil Sokolov qualifies for 77th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship

Las Vegas: Young Qatari golf talent Daniil Sokolov has secured qualification for the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, which will take place from July 21 to 26 at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Texas.Organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the U.S. Junior Amateur is one of the most prestigious global tournaments for players under the age of 19, showcasing the sport’s top emerging talents.Daniil earned his spot after finishing third out of 62 participants in the official qualifier held in Las Vegas, Nevada — a remarkable achievement that places him among the elite field for this year’s championship. At just 14 years old, he will be among the youngest competitors in the tournament.Representing the Qatar Golf Association, Daniil has consistently delivered strong performances on the international stage. His growing reputation recently earned him a special invitation to the 49th Boys Junior PGA Championship, an exclusive, invitation-only event that gathers the world’s top U-19 players.Daniil’s recent success, along with his discipline in managing a demanding competition calendar while maintaining peak physical and technical performance, has drawn increasing attention from global golf organizers — most notably the USGA — as he continues to raise Qatar’s profile in international golf. 

Qatar National Football Team Launches Austria Training Camp Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Vienna:  The Qatar national football team has officially begun its overseas training camp in the Austrian town of Going am Wilden Kaiser, kicking off preparations for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers and the intercontinental playoff for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Running through July 27, the camp will see the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions play two international friendlies as part of their build-up to the decisive qualification stage. This marks Qatar’s bid to qualify for the World Cup for the second time, after making their debut as hosts in 2022.Head coach Julen Lopetegui is using the camp to refine his squad, sharpen tactical and physical performance, and finalize the core lineup. The 30-man squad features a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talents.Notable selections include Guilherme Torres, who receives his first national team call-up, and Hassan Al Haydos, the former captain returning to the side. Goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb was left out, with Marwan Sharif and Shehab Al Laithi called in. Defensive reinforcements include Youssef Ayman (Al Duhail) and Abdullah Al Yazidi (Al Sadd).The four goalkeepers in camp are Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, Marwan Sharif, and Shehab Al Laithi.Full squad list: Ahmed Al Janahi, Ahmed Al Rawi, Ahmed Suhail, Ahmed Fathy, Akram Afif, Ismaeel Mohammed, Edmilson Junior, Almoez Ali, Bassam Al Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Jassem Gaber, Hazem Ahmed, Tarek Salman, Assim Madibo, Abdulaziz Hatem, Abdullah Yousef, Mohammed Muntari, Mostafa Tarek, Homam Al Amin, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Manee, Youssef Abdurisag, Youssef Ayman, Abdullah Al Yazidi, and Guilherme Torres.In June, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that Qatar and Saudi Arabia will co-host the fourth-round playoff matches from October 8 to 14, 2025. The official draw will be held next Thursday in Kuala Lumpur. 

Qatar national basketball team defeats India 84-58 in friendly game

Doha; The Qatari national basketball team secured a significant morale-boosting victory against India, with a score of 84-58, during a friendly game that took place on the evening of Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Federation Hall of the Al Gharafa Club. This game is part of the preparations for both teams ahead of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Finals.The event was graced by the presence of Mohammed bin Saad Al Mugheiseeb, the President of the Qatar Basketball Federation, and Ahmed Yousef Mohammed Mubarak Al Darwish, the Assistant Secretary-General, along with a notable audience of sports enthusiasts who actively engaged with the match, creating a vibrant atmosphere for both teams.Throughout the game, the national team exhibited a remarkable technical performance, asserting dominance from the outset and concluding the four quarters with leading scores of 26-6, 38-23, 59-36, and 84-58.The technical staff, under the guidance of Turkish coach Hakan Demir, ensured that all players participated in the game, providing them with valuable experience and fostering unity among the squad members. This approach was part of the execution of carefully crafted tactical strategies in preparation for the forthcoming continental competitions.The Qatari national team is set to engage in a second friendly game against the Indian national team at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Federation Hall in Al-Gharafa, marking the conclusion of the second phase of their internal training camp.Following this, the Qatari national team will travel to South Korea for the third phase of the Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled from July 16 to 21.During this period, they will compete against prominent Asian teams in friendly games as part of their final preparations for the tournament, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, 2025, featuring 16 participating teams.The draw has placed the Qatari team in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon, while Group B consists of Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran. Group C includes China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia, and Group D comprises Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines.Group D includes Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines.The Qatari team will begin its tournament campaign against Lebanon on August 6.The tournament follows a group-based format, with the top teams in each group qualifying directly for the quarterfinals. The second and third-place teams in each group will play knockout matches to determine the remaining teams, adding an element of suspense and rivalry to the competition.