Qatar Reserve Team to Kick Off William Jones Cup Campaign Against UAE

Doha: The Qatar national basketball reserve team will begin its campaign in the 44th edition of the William Jones Cup with a match against the United Arab Emirates on July 12, 2025, in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. The tournament serves as a key preparation platform ahead of upcoming regional competitions.Qatar’s participation comes in response to an official invitation from the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA), underlining the growing presence and recognition of Qatari basketball across Asia.The Qatari delegation is led by Meshal Abdullah Al-Malki, a board member of the Qatar Basketball Federation. The tournament runs from July 12 to 20, featuring a strong field of teams representing multiple continents.Competing alongside Qatar are national teams from the UAE, Bahrain, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, in addition to two teams from the host nation — Chinese Taipei A and B — promising a highly competitive tournament.This participation is part of the team’s build-up for the Arab Championship for National Teams, scheduled to take place in Nabeul, Tunisia, from July 23 to August 3.The 13-man squad representing Qatar includes:Abdullah Yassin, Owen Ekena Amah, Raslan Rashid Al-Abdullah, Mubarak Rashid Jama, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Osama Abdel Nasser, Tamim Abu Issa, Azzam Mohammed, Mohammed Ahmed, Mahmoud Deeb, Issa Alert, Hamza Al-Attar, and Dejan Janic.Following their opening fixture against the UAE, Qatar will face:The tournament offers valuable international exposure and competitive experience for Qatar’s rising talents on the court. 

Qatar basketball team to meet India in friendly today

Doha: As part of the second phase of the national basketball team’s preparatory programme, Qatar will meet India a friendly game on Friday at the QBF Hall at 7pm.This game serves as a component of the Qatari national team’s preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Finals, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, featuring 16 participating teams.The draw has placed the Qatar in Group A, alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon. Group B consists of Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran. Group C includes China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia, while Group D comprises Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines.The Qatar national team is set to commence their campaign on August 6th against Lebanon. The tournament format has been established based on a group system, where the leading teams in each group will qualify directly for the quarterfinals, while the second and third-place teams in each group will engage in knockout matches using a cross-match system to identify the remaining teams.Qatar are currently undertaking their internal training camp in Doha, supervised by the technical staff led by Turkish coach Hakan Demir, with the involvement of all newly joined players, as part of efforts to improve both technical and physical readiness.The Indian national team arrived in Doha on Thursday morning, July 10th, where it was welcomed by several representatives of the QBF.The visiting team is conducting its daily training sessions at the QBF’s gym in Al Gharafa, in conjunction with the training sessions of the Qatari national team, which are also held in the same facility.The friendly game will offer the technical staff of the Qatar national team a chance to experiment with various tactical strategies and assess the players’ performance in a competitive setting akin to continental games.Additionally, it will foster team unity, particularly after the successful completion of the initial phase of preparations in Turkey last month.A second friendly game between the two teams will be played on Sunday. It will mark the conclusion of this segment of the internal camp, prior to moving on to the third phase in South Korea from July 16 to 21. 

Qatar Beach Volleyball Team Earns International Praise After Elite16 Gstaad Triumph

Lausanne: The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has commended the Qatar beach volleyball team following their gold medal victory at the prestigious Elite16 Gstaad World Tour, held recently in Switzerland. The Qatari duo, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, delivered a stellar performance to claim their second title of the 2024–2025 season.In a statement published on its official website, the FIVB highlighted the win as a testament to the effectiveness of its Volleyball Empowerment Program — a global initiative aimed at supporting national teams through access to elite coaching staff, technical resources, and essential equipment. The Qatari team has been among the key beneficiaries, receiving tailored support that has significantly boosted their performance and preparation.The gold medal in Gstaad came after an impressive run of five victories and just one defeat, further cementing Qatar’s reputation as a dominant force in international beach volleyball.With this latest success, Team Qatar now holds an impressive record of four gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in the FIVB Beach Pro Tour, reflecting their continued ascent on the world stage.The FIVB praised Qatar’s long-term investment in the sport, noting that the country’s commitment to international programs, athlete development, and regular participation in top-tier events has played a crucial role in elevating its global standing. It also emphasized how Qatar's strategic use of the Federation’s support mechanisms serves as a model for other national teams.According to the latest FIVB rankings, Qatar has risen to fifth in the world, moving up from seventh place with a total of 5,720 ranking points accumulated over ten tournaments this season. Their recent Gstaad title alone added 1,200 points to their tally.The rise in rankings and consistent podium finishes underscore Qatar’s emergence as a powerhouse in beach volleyball — and a team to watch heading into the upcoming major competitions. 

Sheikha Asma Al Thani conquers Nanga Parbat Summit in Pakistan

Pakistan: Sheikha Asma bint Thani Al Thani, a renowned mountain climbing legend, has reached the summit of Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, adding yet another remarkable achievement to her extraordinary record. At 8,126 meters, Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest peak in the world.With this latest accomplishment, Sheikha Asma has now successfully climbed 9 of the 14 mountains globally that exceed 8,000 meters in elevation.Currently in Pakistan, Sheikha Asma is focused on her next challenge—reaching the summits of Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, and Broad Peak. Upon completion, only the peaks of Shishapangma and Cho Oyu will remain, positioning her to become the first woman in history to conquer all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters and achieve the "Explorers Grand Slam"—a groundbreaking milestone in mountaineering.Beyond her remarkable climbs, Sheikha Asma’s expeditions serve as a platform for raising awareness of important global issues. Through her journeys, she aims to encourage women and youth in the region to overcome barriers and follow their dreams.Sheikha Asma has partnered with several international organizations, including Ooredoo and the UNHCR, to advance humanitarian and social causes through her adventurous expeditions. 

Team Qatar riders deliver strong performances in European Showjumping Events

Doha: Team Qatar riders showcased their talent with impressive performances at two major international showjumping competitions held in Belgium and France.At the Bonheiden International Championships in Belgium, Fahad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani secured a remarkable second place in the 135 cm category, competing against a field of 33 top riders from around the globe. Riding Krokant 31, Al-Thani delivered two flawless rounds, clocking 53.54 seconds in the first and 27.58 seconds in the second.Sweden’s Sofia Westborg claimed the top spot aboard Cornet Clover Girl with times of 52.46 and 27.29 seconds. She also secured third place riding Cart d'Or Z, underlining the high level of competition.Meanwhile in France, Sultan Salem Al Naemi claimed first place in the 130 cm competition at the Royan International Championships, riding Energica. His victory highlights his growing international presence and technical prowess on the European stage.These achievements mark another milestone for Qatar’s equestrian sports, reflecting the country’s investment in developing elite-level riders and its growing influence on the global showjumping scene. 

Qatar’s Beach Volleyball Team climb to fifth place in World Rankings

Lausanne: Qatar’s men’s beach volleyball duo, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, have reached a new milestone by rising to fifth place in the latest FIVB World Rankings, moving up from seventh in the global standings.With a total of 5,720 points accumulated over 10 tournaments this season, the Qatari team made a significant leap, bolstered by their recent gold medal victory at the prestigious Gstaad Elite 16 World Tour event in Switzerland. The win earned them an additional 1,200 points, reinforcing their status among the world’s elite.This latest achievement underscores the team’s consistent performance and determination as they gear up for major upcoming events, including the FIVB World Championship and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.At the top of the rankings, Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sørum continue to lead with 8,560 points, followed by Argentina’s Nicolás and Tomás Capogrosso, who climbed to second place for the first time with 6,520 points. The Netherlands’ Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot are in third with 5,920 points, while Sweden’s David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig dropped to fourth at 5,780 points.Qatar’s rise in the rankings reflects the growth and ambition of beach volleyball in the country, as well as its ability to challenge and compete at the highest levels of the sport.