Al Rayyan emerge as Amir Cup basketball champions

Doha: Al Rayyan clinched the 2024–2025 Amir Cup Basketball Championship after defeating Al Arabi 77–70 in a thrilling final held at the Al Gharafa Indoor Sports Hall on Thursday.Al Rayyan overcame early pressure from Al Arabi to claim the prestigious crown.Al Arabi started strong, edging the first period 14-13. Al Rayyan responded by taking a narrow lead in the second period (26-24), but Al Arabi came back in the third quarter with a 20-17 run. In the decisive final period, Al Rayyan dominated with a 21-12 surge, sealing the victory and the championship.Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) President Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb crowned Al Rayyan as champions in front of a vibrant crowd.The match featured a standout performance by Al Rayyan’s Abdullah Yassin Musa, who led all scorers with 18 points. Al Arabi’s Abdulrahman Saad and Mustafa Hussein also impressed, each contributing 17 points in a strong but ultimately unsuccessful effort.With this victory, Al Rayyan have now claimed a record 10 Amir Cup titles, further cementing their status as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Notably, their dominance began in the inaugural 1999-2000 edition, where they also triumphed over Al Arabi in the final.Al Mughaiseeb said, “We at the federation are very happy with Al Rayyan’s return to the top of the league. This distinguished club has a long history in Qatari basketball, and its return to winning after years of absence restores balance and strong competition among the clubs.”He also praised Al Arabi’s performance, saying, “We must commend Al Arabi’s performance this season. They were a fierce and won the league title, the Qatar Cup, and, before that, the Arab Championship, which was hosted by Alexandria. This demonstrates the club’s distinguished administrative and technical work.”For his part, QBF Secretary-General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari praised the high technical level displayed in the Amir Cup final, stressing that the game lived up to expectations in terms of performance, organization, and crowd attendance. “Today’s final was an example of what basketball should be like in Qatar. The performance of both teams was outstanding and the fans were a key partner in the event’s success.” 

Global Olympic and sport figures Join Qatar in celebrating champions of tomorrow at the 2024–2025 Schools Olympic Program Finals

Doha – In a vibrant atmosphere of celebration and spirited competition reflecting the powerful synergy between sport and education, Qatar marked the grand finale of the 18th edition of the Schools Olympic Program for Boys for the 2024–2025 academic year. The event took place on Thursday at the iconic Aspire Dome, and was attended by over 6,000 students, parents, and spectators, as well as a host of distinguished international guests.Among the prominent figures in attendance were H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; Dr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee; H.E. Lolwah Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Mr. Zeljko Tanaskovic, President of the International School Sport Federation; H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al-Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; and H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, QOC Secretary General.These distinguished guests, including leaders in sports, education, and Olympic movements joined senior QOC officials and Qatari athletes on a tour of the various student competitions, organized under the supervision of the Presidents of Qatar’s national sports federations, who also oversaw the medal ceremonies.Dr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee crowned the winners of Volleyball competitions.A special highlight for attendees was the opportunity to take commemorative photos with the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Trophy, which was showcased in a dedicated pavilion as part of the SOP ’s promotional activities.The 18th edition of SOP saw record-breaking participation, with a total of 21,000 students, boys and girls from public and private schools across Qatar. They competed in 28 different sports, including football, basketball (5x5 and 3x3), volleyball, artistic gymnastics, swimming, handball, fencing, table tennis, tennis, padel, athletics, taekwondo, shooting, wrestling, hockey, karate, judo, calisthenics, esports, weightlifting, triathlon, cricket, curling, rugby, beach volleyball, cycling , and boccia for students with special needs.The SOP was launched as a national initiative inspired by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar. The QOC and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education  jointly implemented the program in collaboration with the Qatar School Sports Association and the Qatar Paralympic Committee.The program first launched in the 2007–2008 school year under the theme "Sport and Health," as a lasting legacy of the Doha 2006 Asian Games. Its primary goals are to instill a sporting culture within schools, discover and nurture young talent, and promote healthy lifestyles among youth. Qatar is proudly the first country in the region and one of the pioneers globally to implement such a comprehensive initiative across its educational institutions.The SOP has gone from strength to strength. In its first year, 5,000 students from 100 schools took part. Participation continued to rise each year: 2008–2009: “Sport and the Environment”, 2009–2010: “Sport and Culture”, 2010–2011: “Sport and Education”, 2011–2012: “Sport and Family,” which saw around 20,000 participants  and 6th Edition  “Sport and Investment,” with 23,000 students.Since its inception, the program has been organized annually by the QOC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar School Sports Association, with each edition launched under a theme that reflects Qatar’s commitment to embedding sport within both the education system and wider society.The program has earned regional and international acclaim. During the 2014 edition, held under the theme “Sport and Integrity,” the finals were attended by Wilfried Lemke, UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace. That edition drew over 26,000 participants, a testament to the program’s global reputation and its value in promoting sportsmanship and ethical values among youth.In a statement to the media, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, President of the Qatar School Sports Association and Chairman of the Program Organizing Committee, said: “Qatar today stands as a leading model in the field of school sports, thanks to a holistic strategic vision that has fostered high-level performance and promising student talents—who now form a vital pipeline for our national teams across multiple disciplines. This reflects our nation’s exceptional success in linking sport and education in a seamless, integrated manner.”“This year’s edition of the Schools Olympic Program was outstanding in every organizational aspect, receiving praise and appreciation from all observers. It further strengthens Qatar’s position as a regional hub for advancing school sports and contributes to shaping generations of athletes distinguished by skill, discipline, and the spirit of fair competition.” He added.

Yoshimura & Odo shock top seeds Shidong & Kuai Man

Doha: Maharu Yoshimura and Satsuki Odo claimed an emotional victory at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025, pulling off a stunning upset against No.1 seeds Lin Shidong and Kuai Man to move into the semi-finals of the mixed doubles, on the fifth day of the nine-day worlds. Yoshimura and Odo won 8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 12-10.Bronze medallists two years ago at the World Championships Finals in Durban, Lin and Kuai were hot favourites to bring home the gold in Doha, and the World No.1 duo made a promising start to the match, landing the opening game by a three-point margin.But it was clear things weren’t going to be straightforward for the Chinese superstars as Yoshimura and Odo returned to the table with even greater determination, and it wasn’t long before the scores were level once again.Suddenly, the feeling inside Lusail Sports Arena completely changed as Lin and Kuai began to realise they had a fight on their hands. Down 10-7 in the third, the top seeds chalked up four points on the bounce to hold a crucial game point opportunity, but fate would swing the other way as Yoshimura and Odo took an unlikely lead for the first time.Producing a championship calibre performance on the grandest of stages, Yoshimura and Odo were inching ever closer to etching their names in World Championships Finals history, and could see the finish line, opening up a commanding 8-3 lead in the fourth.There were some late nerves for the Japanese partnership, seeing their opponents claw their way back to 8-8. Lin and Kuai would then save match points at 10-8 and 10-9 to draw level, heaping the pressure on Yoshimura and Odo.With the tie in the balance, it was now or never for the Japanese underdogs, and they would embrace the moment, straining every sinew to close out a historic victory.An overwhelmed Yoshimura said, “It’s been a long time since I last won a medal at the WTTC - the last time was in 2019. To be paired with Odo and win a medal really exceeded my expectations. So many emotions rushed over me all at once, and I couldn’t help but cry. I’m truly happy.”The surprises continued in the men’s doubles as Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu and Spain’s Alvaro Robles stunned Japan’s fourth-seeded pairing of Tomokazu Harimoto and Sora Matsushima 3-2 (9-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9).In the women’s doubles, Germany’s Sabine Winter and Yuan Wan added to the day’s dramatic moments by eliminating Chinese Taipei’s Tsai and Huang 3-2 (8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7).Meanwhile in the men’s singles, Germany’s Patrick Franziska produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the tournament, overturning a 0-3 deficit to defeat Korea Republic’s Cho Daeseong 4-3 (7-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4, 11-3) in a breathtaking encounter.In the women’s singles, Japan’s eighth seed Mima Ito overcame a spirited challenge from Poland’s Natalia Bajor to win 4-2 (11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 1-11, 2-11, 11-9), while her compatriot Hina Hayata had to work hard to defeat Czech Republic’s Hana Matelova 4-2 (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-10).Italy’s teen Gaia Monfardini saw her remarkable run come to an end against South Korea’s s ninth seed Shin Yubin, who prevailed 4-1 (11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-14, 11-6).Despite the defeat, Monfardini’s breakthrough performance in Doha, which included a stunning upset of Hong Kong, China’s 28th seed Doo Hoi Kem, marks her as a rising star to watch. 

Sheikh Joaan meets President of the Mongolian Olympic Committee

Doha: H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met today with Mr. Battushig Batbold, President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC) and Member of the International Olympic Committee, who is currently visiting Doha.The meeting reviewed aspects of sports cooperation between the two sides and discussed several topics of mutual interest, including preparations for the upcoming Asian Games – Nagoya 2026.The meeting was attended by the QOC Secretary General H.E. Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain.On the sidelines of the meeting, the QOC and the MNOC signed a Memorandum of Understanding aiming at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two NOCs in the fields of sport and Olympic development.On this occasion, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said: "We are pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, which establishes a clear framework to develop and expand cooperation between our two Olympic committees.""We are committed to activating this MoU through collaborative programs that promote sporting excellence and support athletes in both countries. Our sporting journey in Qatar is built on accumulated knowledge and experience, and we look forward to advancing shared Olympic goals with our partners." He added.Mr. Battushig Batbold expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to formalize this partnership, noting that the agreement marks a valuable step in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Mongolia and Qatar in the field of sport. He also highlighted Mongolia’s interest in benefiting from Qatar’s expertise in sports organization and development.The signing of the MoU represents a significant step forward in building a strategic partnership between the QOC and the Mongolian NOC, and in promoting shared values in sport, Olympic education, and sustainable development. 

Qatar Anti-Doping Commission celebrates 20th anniversary, inaugurates new headquarters

Doha: Under the theme ‘20 Years of Integrity and Excellence’, the Qatar Anti-Doping Commission (QADC) held a national celebration Wednesday, to mark its 20th anniversary and inaugurate its new headquarters in Doha.The event was attended by Witold Bańka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), along with a number of dignitaries, sports officials, and media representatives from Qatar and abroad.The occasion highlighted the commission’s institutional evolution since its founding in 2005, culminating in its official recognition this year as an “Independent National Anti-Doping Organization.”QADC continues to promote a clean sporting environment through testing programs, education, awareness campaigns, and adherence to international standards.The event featured presentations on QADC’s strategic plan for 2023–2027 and showcased key milestones from the past two decades, including its contributions to major sporting events such as the 2006 Asian Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, among others.Reflecting Qatar’s strong commitment to clean sport on the global stage, WADA announced during the event that it had received an additional financial contribution of USD 1.5mn from the Government of Qatar to support scientific research—on top of Qatar’s regular annual contribution. This funding will be directed toward enhancing scientific research at the WADA-accredited laboratory in Doha, supporting global research projects, and expanding the annual laboratory symposium, which brings together leading international experts. This initiative underscores the close partnership between Qatar and WADA and their shared commitment to advancing integrity in sport through innovation and global collaboration.During the event, QADC also unveiled several new initiatives, including:•    The launch of the new national awareness slogan “Just Play”•    The introduction of a bilingual national educational toolkit (in Arabic and English)•    The debut of the first interactive content designed for the visually impaired, developed in collaboration with the Qatar Cultural Center for the BlindSimultaneously, QADC presented its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting the achievement of operational targets with 2,269 doping tests conducted and over 4,000 educational events organized. The Commission also achieved five international ISO certifications across multiple domains.The event concluded with a visual presentation titled “Behind This Success – The QADC Team,” celebrating staff contributions, followed by a private meeting between the QADC Board of Directors and the WADA delegation, and a group photo session to commemorate the occasion.

Qatar’s Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball Teams set to Compete in the Second West Asia Tour in Jordan

DOHA  – Qatar’s national men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams are gearing up to take part in the second round of the West Asia Beach Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Jordan from May 20 to 26. The prestigious tournament brings together 13 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams from across the region.Qatar will be represented by two men’s pairs: Mahmoud Essam and Saif Al-Majid form the first team, while the second team features Mehdi Sammoud and Mohamed Ehab. The women’s national team will also field two pairs: Haya Abu Issa and Malak Hashem make up the first duo, with Aisha Alawi and Wuddan Al-Waleed forming the second.The championship promises high-octane action, with fierce competition expected in both categories. The men’s tournament will see participation from Jordan (the host nation), Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. In the women’s category, teams from Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Yemen will battle for top honours.Participating teams have begun arriving in Amman today, ahead of the preliminary technical meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The official matches will get underway on Thursday.The Qatari delegation, led by Mohammed Anbar Al-Nasser, a member of the Beach Volleyball Committee at the Qatar Volleyball Association arrived in the Jordanian capital earlier today. The administrative and technical staff accompanying the teams includes Ghadir Youssef, team manager for the women’s squad, head coach Leonardo and his assistant Fernando, along with physiotherapist Iman Hilal.The coaching team is committed to providing optimal preparation and support to the players throughout the tournament, aiming for strong performances on Jordanian sands.