QOC President Participates in 37th Meeting of GCC Olympic Committee Presidents in Kuwait

Kuwait City: His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), participated in the 37th Meeting of the Presidents of the National Olympic Committees of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Kuwait City.Hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel, the high-level meeting brought together Olympic leaders from across the region to strengthen cooperation in sport and align on shared priorities for the development of the Gulf’s sporting landscape. The previous edition of the meeting was hosted by the State of Qatar in Doha last year.A central topic on the agenda was Qatar’s upcoming hosting of the 4th GCC Games, scheduled to take place in Doha in 2026. The multi-sport event is expected to bring together over 1,800 athletes from the six GCC countries, competing in more than 15 sports across 10 competition venues. The event will serve as a platform for athlete development, providing a competitive stage to identify and inspire the next generation of Gulf sporting talent, while reinforcing unity among the participating nations.Sheikh Joaan reaffirmed Qatar’s full commitment to delivering a world-class edition of the Games, one that builds on the success of previous editions while introducing new levels of organizational and competitive quality. The meeting also included discussions on future regional sporting events, increased support for women’s participation in sport, institutional collaboration between National Olympic Committees, and initiatives to strengthen the Gulf’s collective presence in international sport. 

Sheikh Joaan Attends Opening of 45th OCA General Assembly in Kuwait

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), attended the official opening of the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) today at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre in Kuwait City.The General Assembly brought together delegates from 45 National Olympic Committees across the continent, representing the breadth and diversity of Asian sport. Sheikh Joaan’s presence underscored his role as one of the region’s most influential sports leaders, and reflected Qatar’s well-established position at the heart of international sport.Hosted by the Kuwait Olympic Committee, the ceremony included official remarks, a cultural performance, and a dinner welcoming delegations. Among the speakers was International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach, delivering one of his final addresses before completing his term in June.A highlight of the evening was the participation of Team Qatar legend Mutaz Barshim, a four-time Olympian and one of the most decorated athletes in Asian track and field history. Invited to speak during the opening formalities, Barshim reflected on his journey through Olympic competition and the role of sport in shaping opportunity, national pride, and collective identity.The spotlight on Qatar at the General Assembly comes ahead of Doha’s hosting of the 21st Asian Games in 2030. Recognised globally as the sporting capital of the world, Doha continues to play a leading role in driving regional sport development, expanding access for athletes, and supporting the growth of Olympic institutions across Asia and the world.Also in attendance 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 Mr. Jassim Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the QOC. 

Team Qatar wins Arab Men's Handball Championship Trophy

KUWAIT — Qatar’s national handball team has claimed the title of the 10th Arab Men’s Handball Championship after defeating Bahrain 25–22 in a thrilling final held Sunday in Kuwait. The prestigious tournament featured nine participating nations: Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia, Morocco, the UAE, and Bahrain.This triumph marks a historic first Arab Championship title for the Qatari team, who now join the list of nations that have lifted the coveted trophy.Qatar delivered a powerful and convincing performance throughout the final, asserting their dominance for most of the match. A standout display came from goalkeeper Ahmed Magdy, whose crucial saves were instrumental in tipping the balance in Qatar’s favor.The path to the final saw Qatar top Group B with two victories over Saudi Arabia (31–22) and Tunisia (31–30)  before overcoming Egypt 25–19 in a commanding semifinal performance.Bahrain, on the other hand, topped Group A after wins over Iraq (28–26) and Egypt (36–32), then defeated host nation Kuwait 29–24 in the semifinals to book their place in the final.Historically, Egypt captured the title in the first two editions of the Arab Championship in 1975 and 1977. Kuwait followed with wins in 1979 and 1988, while Tunisia claimed the crown in 1986 and 1993. Saudi Arabia lifted the trophy in 1998, Algeria in 2000, and Bahrain emerged champions in the most recent edition in 2002.Qatar’s long-awaited coronation in 2025 now adds a new chapter to the legacy of Arab handball excellence.

Historic silver for Team Qatar in Giant Open France 2025 Swimming Championship

Paris: Team Qatar’s swimming standout Ali Sayed delivered a historic performance for Qatar by winning the silver medal in the 100m freestyle at the Giant Open France 2025, currently taking place in Paris at the Olympic Pool (50m) from May 9 to 11.Ali clocked an impressive time of 49.74 seconds, finishing second in a fiercely competitive field of top international swimmers. His performance was widely praised for its combination of speed, focus, and determination, securing Qatar a prestigious spot on the podium in a major international event.This remarkable achievement highlights the continued progress of Qatari swimming and underscores Ali Sayed’s readiness to compete at the highest level, especially with Olympic qualifiers on the horizon. The French Open serves as a key preparatory milestone for upcoming major tournaments, including the Olympic Games qualifiers.President of the Qatar Swimming Association, Mubarak bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, expressed great pride in Ali Sayed’s accomplishment, calling the silver medal a reflection of the association’s strategic efforts to develop national talent.In a statement, Al-Nuaimi said: “We congratulate Ali on this well-deserved achievement. He is a shining example of the strength of Qatari swimming, and this result is a clear indicator of the technical progress we’ve made. We are confident that even greater achievements lie ahead, and we remain fully committed to supporting our athletes in raising Qatar’s flag across the world.”He added that such results stem from long-term planning and extensive preparation programs developed in collaboration with partners at the Qatar Olympic Committee. “Our ambitions are limitless,” he affirmed. “We have our sights set firmly on podium finishes at continental and global championships.” 

Woo, Mahuchikh soar to victory at What Gravity Challenge

Doha: South Korea’s Woo Sang-hyeok and Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh were crowned champions at the second edition of the What Gravity Challenge, held at Katara’s Roman Amphitheater Friday. The event brought together some of the world’s top high jumpers in a spectacular contest.Woo clinched the men’s title with a jump of 2.29 meters, narrowly edging out Japan’s Ryoichi Akamatsu, who claimed silver with a 2.26-meter effort. Jamaica’s Raymond Richards also cleared 2.26 meters but had to settle for bronze due to a higher number of failed attempts.The founder of the event, Mutaz Barshim—who won the inaugural edition—had to withdraw this time after sustaining a last-minute injury. The reigning world champion and four-time Olympic medallist has been advised six weeks of rest.The star-studded men’s field featured 11 of the world’s top active jumpers, including 2024 Paris Olympic gold medallist Hamish Kerr of New Zealand and World Championship silver medallist JuVaughn Harrison of the USA. Kerr finished 10th, while Harrison was ninth.Woo delivered a confident performance, clearing 2.15m, 2.20m, 2.23m, and 2.26m on his first attempts. Several of his main rivals stumbled at 2.23m and 2.26m, narrowing the field.The defining moment came at 2.29m. After missing his first two attempts, Woo successfully cleared the bar on his third try, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. None of the remaining athletes managed to surpass that mark, sealing Woo’s victory. “I’m very happy to win a competition that brought together the world’s best jumpers,” Woo said after the event. “I’ll carry this momentum forward to my next event in Paris.”This victory marks Woo’s fourth consecutive international title this season. He previously won the Hustopece Indoor Meet (2.31m), Banska Bystrica in Slovakia (2.28m), and the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China (2.31m). Woo will return home to compete in the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, set to begin May 27 in Gumi, South Korea.In the women’s competition, Olympic champion Mahuchikh soared to victory with a season-leading jump of 2.02 meters. Australia’s Eleanor Patterson took silver with 1.96 meters, while Poland’s Maria Zodzik claimed bronze with the same height, losing silver on countback. Mahuchikh is also the current world record holder with a 2.10-meter jump, set at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Mahuchikh expressed her gratitude, calling the event a great boost ahead of the World Championships. “It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m proud to be the first female champion of the Gravity Challenge,” the Ukrainian said.Following the competition, the winners were crowned by Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, and Bader Mohammed al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways, in the presence of Qatar Athletics Federation President Mohammed Issa al-Fadala.Barshim expressed his deep pride in the success of the second edition of his brainchild event. “This success fills me with indescribable happiness,” Barshim said. “The idea, the public turnout, and the high level of competition exceeded expectations. The second edition truly reached a distinguished level.”Barshim emphasised that moving the high jump from the traditional stadium setting to the theatrical stage marks an important step in evolving the sport. “This transition strengthens our vision for the future. It will inspire new champions and embed high jump culture into broader public consciousness,” he noted.He thanked the Qatar Athletics Federation and all who contributed to what he described as a pioneering initiative. “This championship aspires to global status, and the response we’ve seen proves it’s on the right path,” he said.QAF President al-Fadala lauded the event's organisation and competition level. “The performances were exceptional, and the championship demonstrated our ability to host world-class events to the highest standards,” he said. 

Team Qatar qualify to WAVA Asian Beach Volleyball Tour final

Doha: Team Qatar secured a spot in the men’s final of the 1st West Asian Volleyball Association (WAVA) Beach Volleyball Tour after defeating Bahrain in straight sets (21–15, 21–14) in the semifinal held Friday at Al Gharrafa Beach.The championship, which includes men’s and women’s events, is being held in Doha with the participation of 19 teams representing seven countries from across West Asia.Qatar’s pairing of Mahmoud Essam and Saif El Din El Majeed delivered a dominant performance throughout the match, converting their momentum into a decisive victory that sends them into Saturday’s final.Qatar will now face Oman, who overcame Saudi Arabia in their semifinal, also in straight sets (21–15, 21–15). Bahrain went on to clinch third place later Friday, beating Saudi Arabia 2–0 (21–17, 21–11) in the bronze medal match.In the women’s competition, the Lebanon 1 team advanced to the final after defeating Qatar 1 – comprised of Haya Abu Issa and Malak Hashem – 2–0 (21–14, 21–8). The other semifinal saw Lebanon 2 come from behind to defeat Jordan 2–1 (12–21, 21–18, 15–8), setting up an all-Lebanese final.Jordan secured third place in the women’s competition with a convincing 2–0 win (21–13, 21–6) over Qatar 1 in the third-place playoff on Friday evening.