Sheikh Joaan Hosts Qatar Handball Team in Kuwait Following Historic Arab Cup Victory

Kuwait: His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), hosted the Qatar national handball team on Monday morning in Kuwait, less than 24 hours after their landmark win in the 10th Arab Handball Championship. The 25–22 victory over Bahrain on Sunday marked Qatar’s first-ever Arab Cup title in men’s handball.The final was held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex and capped a dominant run by the Qatari side, which completed the tournament with a perfect record. The championship, hosted in Kuwait from May 5 to 11, returned to the regional calendar for the first time since 2002, featuring nine participating nations divided across three groups.Qatar advanced from Group B after defeating Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 31–22 and edging Tunisia 31–30. In the semifinal, they overcame Egypt 25–19 before closing out the tournament with a hard-fought win over Bahrain.Sheikh Joaan commended the players and coaching staff for their discipline, consistency, and character throughout the competition, describing the performance as a point of national pride and a reflection of years of investment in the sport. Several emerging players were instrumental in the campaign, offering further evidence of the QOC’s long-term commitment to athlete development.Joining Sheikh Joaan at the reception were Ahmad Al-Shaabi, President of the Qatar Handball Association; and Jassim Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the QOC.Handball has long been one of Qatar’s most successful sports, and the Arab Cup title adds to a growing legacy that includes continental and global achievements. The victory in Kuwait was especially significant, not only for its historic nature but for the promise it revealed in a team that blended experience with rising talent.The return of the Arab Championship after more than two decades was seen by many as an important platform for regional competition. For Qatar, it offered both a trophy and a reaffirmation of the country's leadership in regional sport and its ongoing commitment to excellence on and off the court. 

Qatar 4x400m team qualifies for World Athletics Championships

China - On Sunday the Qatar quartet of Abderrahman Samba, Bassem Hemeida, Ashraf Hussen Osman and Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim a new national record of 3:00.29s at world relays in Guangzhou and in the process qualified for the World Championships Final, set to be held in Tokyo this September. Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, China, France, Great Britain, Jamaica, Kenya, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, United States are the countries who have also qualified for the event.The Qatar quartet missed a chance to secure early qualification to qualify for the final as they finished third in the heats on Saturday. The Qatar athletes grab the second chance – all non-finalists competed in additional qualifying heats with the top two from each of the three groups securing World Championships berths – with both hands.Meanwhile, Success Eduan lived up to her name by anchoring Britain to a thrilling victory in the 4x100m Sunday as Akani Simbine led South Africa to victory in the men's event. Eduan produced a thrilling final leg to outpace Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and Twanisha Terry of the United States for gold along with teammates Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Amy Hunt and Bianca Williams.“I did not think too much of (the) others, I just knew that if I gave all myself in, it would come out all right," said Eduan."I have a mentality of a winner, I don't care if Shericka or Shelly-Ann (Fraser-Pryce), respect to them, are running. I am going to give my all and I'm going to pass them and I'm going to win. And we did that!"Spain snatched a shock silver in 42.28sec, with the Jamaican quartet also featuring multi-medalled Fraser-Pryce taking bronze (42.33), just five-hundredths ahead of the US team.“We came out, took the chance, got a medal, qualified for the world championship in Tokyo,” said Fraser-Pryce, whose first Olympic gold medal was at the 2008 Beijing Games.“All in all we are very pleased. We are grateful for getting a bronze medal, and we will leave the fight for another day.”South Africa had in-form Simbine, winner of the two opening Diamond League 100m races this season, to thank for an electric anchor leg as he powered past Brandon Hicklin for gold in the men's 4x100m relay.The team also featuring Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile and Bradley Nkoana clocked a world leading time of 37.61sec.The US took silver in 37.66sec, with Canada, featuring the same quartet who won gold in last year's Paris Olympics, claiming bronze."Once I got the baton I saw that US (were) in front of us, I just said to myself 'I need to catch the guy in front'," said Simbine."I knew I could do it, and I just chased him. I feed from chasing, I feed from being able to chase. So it's really great to be able to be in that position and get through it and get to the line first."There was another upset in the women's 4x400m relay, with Spain pushing the US team, the defending Olympic champions, into second.The US foursome of Chris Robinson, Courtney Okolo, Johnnie Blockburger and Lynna Irby-Jackson earlier claimed gold in the mixed 4x400m relay in a championship record of 3:09.54.And the Canadian quartet of Sade McCreath, Marie-Eloise Leclair, Duan Asemota and Eliezer Adjibi topped the podium ahead of Jamaica and Britain in the mixed 4x100m relay, winning the first ever holding of the event in 40.30sec.

Doha prepares to host World’s Best at 2025 Table Tennis Championships

DOHA -  As the countdown begins for the highly anticipated ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Doha 2025, the global spotlight is turning toward the sport’s brightest stars and rising talents. This spectacular edition will welcome 640 players from 127 countries, competing across five thrilling categories in what promises to be a landmark event for the sport.This championship offers the perfect stage for world and Olympic champions to shine once again. In the men’s singles, the spotlight is on Asia’s powerhouses, led by Lin Shidong, the 20-year-old Chinese phenomenon known for his razor-sharp tactics and stunning unpredictability. Lin is already a household name: World Mixed Doubles Champion (Durban 2023), two-time Mixed Doubles World Cup winner (Chengdu 2024), and Men’s Singles World Cup Champion (Macau 2025). With two Asian titles under his belt, Lin enters Doha aiming to cement his dominance.Joining him is his teammate and Olympic gold medalist Wang Chuqin, currently ranked world no. 2. A serial winner, Wang has seven World Championship titles (including Halmstad 2018, Budapest 2019, Houston 2021, Chengdu 2022, Durban 2023, and Busan 2024), three World Cup victories, and double Olympic gold from Paris 2024 (Mixed Doubles and Team), making him one of the fiercest contenders in the tournament.From the Americas, Brazilian star Hugo Calderano—ranked world no. 3 and the first South American to break into the top 10—leads the charge. With nine singles titles, two doubles championships, and the 2025 Macau World Cup crown, he arrives in Doha in peak form.Japan’s charge is led by Tomokazu Harimoto, world no. 4, known for his explosive speed and aggressive play. Harimoto boasts an impressive résumé: Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze, World Championship silver (Houston 2021), and multiple World Cup medals.China’s Liang Jingkun (world no. 5) adds more firepower, with two World Championship titles, two World Cups, and three Asian Championships, while France’s Félix Lebrun (world no. 6) stands tall as Europe’s top hope, fresh off double Olympic bronze (Paris 2024), World silver (Busan 2024), and European gold (Linz 2024). A four-time national champion, Lebrun is poised to lead Europe’s challenge.Fans can expect fierce team battles, especially between China and Japan, while a new generation of talent from Africa and Latin America may shake up the hierarchy. Germany will rely on the seasoned Dimitrij Ovtcharov, former world no. 1 and still a formidable presence at no. 24.In the women’s singles, China’s elite quartet dominates the top seedings. Leading the pack is Sun Yingsha (world no. 1), a relentless force with a glittering record: Olympic champion (Tokyo 2020 teams), double gold at Paris 2024 (Mixed Doubles and Teams), seven World Championship titles, and five World Cups, including her latest victories in Macau 2025. A three-time Asian champion, Sun is the overwhelming favourite.Hot on her heels is Wang Manyu (world no. 2), known for her aggressive style and big-game temperament. A six-time World Champion, double Olympic gold medalist, two-time World Cup winner, and four-time Asian champion, Wang is a proven competitor on the sport’s biggest stages.Also representing China are: Chen Xingtong (world no. 3): Two-time World Champion, World Cup champion, and multi-time Asian and Asian Games gold medallist.Wang Yidi (world no. 4): Three-time World Champion, Asian Games and Asian champion, and 2022 World Cup winner. Japan’s powerful lineup includes four of the world’s top 10: Miwa Harimoto (no. 6), Hina Hayata (no. 7), Satsuko Odo (no. 8), and Mima Ito (no. 9), a formidable force aiming to disrupt Chinese dominance.South Korea and Chinese Taipei will also pose serious threats in both singles and team events. The Mixed Doubles event is set to draw major attention following its official inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.Arab countries are also in the spotlight, led by Egypt’s Omar Assar, Africa’s top-ranked player (world no. 26). Host nation Qatar enters with a promising squad of five male and two female players, including:Sultan Khalid Al-Kuwari and Mohammed Abdulwahab (Men’s Singles) Aya Magdy and Maryam Ali (Women’s Singles) Mohammed Abdulwahab/Abdullah Abdulwahab and Sultan Al-Kuwari/Ruwaid Al-Nasser (Men’s Doubles)Aya Magdy/Maryam Ali (Women’s Doubles) Mixed Doubles pairs: Mohammed Abdulwahab/Aya Magdy and Ahmed Eid Qarni/Maryam Ali. With strong home support, expectations are high for a spirited performance on Qatari soil.The Doha 2025 Championships are expected to deliver a spectacular blend of technical brilliance, surprise upsets, and sportsmanship. As always, Qatar is ready to amaze the world. The Local Organizing Committee has ensured world-class infrastructure to welcome thousands of fans, including seamless public transport options like the Doha Metro and eco-friendly electric buses.With matches set to unfold in two state-of-the-art venues Lusail Arena and Qatar University Arena fitted with cutting-edge technologies for both athletes and spectators, Qatar reaffirms its place as a global hub for sporting excellence.

Sheikh Joaan Leads Qatari Delegation at 45th OCA General Assembly as Doha 2030 Reinforces Qatar’s Strategic Value to Asian Sport

Kuwait City: His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), led Qatar’s delegation at the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia, held in Kuwait.The Assembly brought together representatives from all 45 National Olympic Committees across Asia, convening to assess progress, align on shared goals, and make strategic decisions shaping the future of sport across the continent. For Qatar, the meetings offered more than a platform for dialogue, they affirmed a legacy of delivery, a future of capability, and the trust of a region preparing for the Doha 2030 Asian Games.Joining Sheikh Joaan were Dr. Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia for West Asia and Second Vice President of the QOC, and His Excellency Jassim Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the QOC.During the Assembly, His Excellency Jassim Al-Buenain delivered a comprehensive update on the progress of the Doha 2030 Asian Games. With five years remaining and the ceremonial handover from Aichi Nagoya scheduled for 2026, the update demonstrated that Qatar is not only on track, but defining new standards in operational readiness, athlete experience, and strategic planning.“Doha 2030 will not only deliver excellence on the field of play,” said Al Buenain in his address. “It will reflect what the Olympic Movement stands for: unity, resilience, and shared ambition. These Games will be felt by every athlete who finds courage, by every volunteer who finds meaning, and by every child who dares to dream.”His remarks were followed by a short film underscoring the guiding principles of the project. Doha 2030 is a Games shaped by long-term vision, backed by infrastructure built with intent, and guided by an approach that puts people, legacy, and performance at its core. The message was clear: this is a nation with the systems, scale, and belief to deliver with purpose.Set to welcome more than 15,000 athletes from across the continent, the Doha 2030 Asian Games will be the largest multisport event ever hosted in Qatar. A full technical roadmap has already been submitted to the OCA, outlining preparations in areas such as venue delivery, athlete accommodation, volunteer engagement, digital integration, and sustainability. The Games are being designed not only to celebrate sporting excellence, but to leave a measurable, lasting impact.As Sheikh Joaan continues to serve on the highest Olympic bodies, Qatar’s presence at the Assembly reinforced a record of action over ambition. The story of Doha 2030 is not built on promises, but on progress. It is a project grounded in experience, driven by collaboration, and aligned with the aspirations of Asia’s next generation.In a region that values precision and vision, Qatar continues to earn the confidence of its peers not by what it says it will do, but by what it consistently delivers. 

QOC President and ANOCA President Discuss Cross-Continental Olympic Cooperation

Kuwait City: 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), met today with Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), on the sidelines of the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia.Mr. Berraf, a veteran sports administrator from Algeria and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was re-elected as ANOCA President in March 2024 and continues to serve as ANOC Vice President for Africa. His meeting with Sheikh Joaan brought together two members of the ANOC Executive Committee and focused on strengthening cooperation between African and Asian Olympic institutions.Discussions explored the evolving role of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across both continents, particularly in the areas of athlete development, institutional growth, and regional leadership. Both officials emphasized the need to deepen collaboration through ANOC’s global platform, which supports 206 recognized NOCs in advancing the Olympic Movement and its values worldwide.The two leaders also discussed expanding intercontinental opportunities for knowledge exchange, youth engagement, and strategic hosting initiatives, reinforcing the importance of multilateral partnerships across the Olympic family. 

Sheikh Joaan Meets IOC President Elect Kirsty Coventry as Olympic Leadership Transitions Toward a New Era

Kuwait City: His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), met today with Kirsty Coventry, President Elect of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), during the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia in Kuwait.The meeting came at a significant moment for the Olympic Movement, as Coventry prepares to assume the IOC presidency on June 23, 2025, coinciding with Olympic Day. She will succeed Dr. Thomas Bach and become the first woman and the first African to lead the IOC in its 131-year history.During the meeting, His Excellency congratulated President Elect Coventry on her election and reiterated QOC’s support for her vision and leadership. Discussions addressed the future of Olympic governance, the evolving role of National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and the importance of ensuring the Olympic Movement continues to respond to global challenges with transparency, inclusion, and athlete focused leadership.Sheikh Joaan emphasized the value of continued collaboration between the IOC, ANOC, and NOCs, particularly in areas such as institutional development, athlete support, and the broader role of sport in advancing social and regional cooperation. He reaffirmed Qatar’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to this shared mission through strong partnerships and continued engagement.As host of the 21st Asian Games in 2030 and a consistent organizer of global sporting events, Qatar remains committed to advancing the Olympic values through inclusive and sustainable models that reflect the needs of future generations.President Elect Coventry, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and current Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in Zimbabwe, brings to the role a strong background in athlete representation and sports leadership. Her meeting with Sheikh Joaan reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the foundations of international sport and supporting the continued evolution of the Olympic Movement.