Team Qatar climb to 10th place in latest FIVB World Rankings

Lausanne: Team Qatar’s men's beach volleyball players, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, have risen to 10th place in the newly released International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) world rankings.The updated standings saw notable shifts at the top, with Norway’s Anders Berntsen Mol and Christian Sørum taking over the number one spot. Meanwhile, Sweden’s David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig moved into second place.Germany’s duo, Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler, who had previously held the top ranking for a significant period, dropped to fourth place.In a separate development, the second edition of the men's beach volleyball championship for the 2024-2025 season concluded today. Al Sadd Club claimed the league title after a series of thrilling matches that showcased a high level of competition and excitement.Al Shamal "B" finished as runners-up, while Al Shamal "A" secured third place, rounding off an intense and competitive season.

Qatar Cricket Team secures victory over Saudi Arabia in ACC U16 West Zone Cup

DOHA - The Qatar U-16 cricket team clinched a thrilling win against Saudi Arabia (172-171) in their match at the University of Doha for Science and Technology Stadium, as part of the ongoing Asian Cricket Cup U16 West Zone Cup in Doha, which runs until May 5.The six participating teams in the tournament included Qatar (host nation), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.Qatar’s next fixture is scheduled for Monday, where they will face Oman at West End International Stadium. They will then take on the UAE on May 1, followed by Kuwait on May 3, at the same venue.The Qatari squad underwent rigorous training and intensive camps in preparation for the tournament. They also played several friendly matches against local and international teams, aiming for strong performances and title contention.This championship marks the first-ever OVER-50 format cricket tournament held in Qatar, where each match lasts between 5 and 7 hours.The winner of the tournament will qualify for the upcoming U-19 Asian Cricket Championship, with details on its date and location yet to be confirmed. 

Arab Men's Handball Championship Draw Puts Qatar in Group B

Riyadh-  The 10th Arab Men's Handball Championship draw, which took place in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, placed Qatar at the top of Group B, alongside Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.Coinciding with the International Handball Federation Week, the championship is set to take place in Kuwait from May 4 to 12.The Championship will feature nine teams divided into three groups. These are: Group A: Egypt, Iraq, and Bahrain; Group B: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia; and Group C: Kuwait, the UAE, and Morocco.The top team in each group will directly qualify for the semifinals, along with the best second-place team. 

Eight Qatari riders qualify for FEI Group VII regional finals

DOHA - Eight Qatari riders qualified for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Group VII (Mena) regional finals with excellent performances on the third and final day of the 2nd Al Shaqab Showjumping League at the Longines Indoor Arena of Al Shaqab on Saturday.HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of Al Shaqab, who witnessed the final day’s action, congratulated the riders on their qualification.Qualifying from the CSIJ-B Junior Champions - FEI Group VII Qualifier 2025 category were Tamim bin Joaan Al-Thani, Ibrahim Khalid Al-Kuwari, Suhaim Hamad Al-Yafei and Amer Hamad al-Mansoori.The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Group VII MENA finals will be held at Al Shaqab later this year in November.In the Table A, One round against the clock with jump off (1.20m) event was won by Bahrain’s Sultan Abdulaziz Mayoof Al-Romaihi, who with mare Haneen clocked 34.55secs. Tamim bin Joaan Al-Thani was second on gelding Carport, followed by Ibrahim Khalid Al-Kuwari in third on Flexy Bel Z.Suhaim Hamad Al-Yafei came fourth with stallion Gamin Raye (64.98secs), while Amer Hamad Al-Mansoori, riding mare Honolulu Brl, ended up in fifth but also qualified.In the CSICh-B Future Champions - FEI Group VII Qualifier 2025 class, Noora Abdulaziz al-Rumaihi, Yousuf Abdulrahaman Al-Muftah, and Khalid Nasser Al-Khater made the grade.Table A, One round against the clock with jump off (1.10m) event was clinched by Saudi Arabia’s Fawaz Alhokair, who rode mare Cool Cassina and clocked 34.30secs. Noora was second astride gelding Nobile Della Genesiana (39.43secs). Sultan Jaasim M A Al-Suwaidi was third with mare Proud (28.52secs and 4 penalties), and Khalid Nasser Al-Khater, riding mare Baccarat d/Azur was fourth.CSIY-B Youth Champions - FEI Group VII Qualifier 2025 - Table A, One round against the clock with jump off (1.30m) class was won by UAE’s Eisa Omran al-Owais, who with mare Miss Cooper clocked the best 75.51secs. Qatar’s Saif Mohammed Al-Naimi was second with gelding Hero (76.42secs), Yaqoub Nasser al-Mass, riding gelding Lexus, third (83.64secs), and Saif Mohammed Al-Kaabi, astride mare Higgs, fourth (76.52secs).Winning the marquee CSI1* Al Shaqab Champions final event was Qatar’s seasoned rider Ghanim Nasser Al-Qadi, who rode grey mare Isis for a flawless routine in 39.23secs.Following him was Saudi Arabian Khaled Abdulaziz Al-Eid on bay stallion Q Sahel (40.57secs) while Qatar’s Hussain Said A M Haidan, riding chestnut gelding Viahipi d’Auzay, was third in 38.07secs (4 penalties).Earlier, the Intro 2 Optimum Time class was won by USA’s Mohammed Talal Talal, who rode Cascade Sammy to finish the routine in 48.98secs. The Amateur (100cm) class was won by Qatar’s Abdulla Faisal al-Mana, riding Brooq and finishing in 20.84secs to edge Qatar’s Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Kaabi, who also finished in the same time on Vahine de Curaine. 

Second Al Shaqab International League begins

Doha: Khalifa bin Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Gabriela Aleksandra Liberska made strong starts to the Second Al Shaqab International League, securing victories as the event kicked off yesterday at the Longines Indoor Arena.Khalifa bin Joaan topped the Introductory Class 2 (80cm) event. Jassim Saoud A. Al Darwish finished second, followed by Maryam Abdulla A. Al Sulaiti, Mohammed Ali N. Al Khulaifi, Jabr Mohannad Nasser Al Nuaimi and Kaltham Thani Al Sowaidi.Event Director Khalid Sanad honoured the top six riders.In the 40cm class, Liberska claimed victory, followed by Faisal Ali Aljaber, Meshael Mohammed H Al Thani, Mashael Hamad F Al Yafei, Hamad Mohammed H Al Thani and Ali Jaber Ali Alsouror.Legacy and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, Ahmed Khaled Al Hemaidi, presented the trophies to the riders. 

Team Qatar secure four medals at Arab Shooting Championship in Cairo

Cairo: Qatar’s shooters continued to impress at the Arab Shooting Championship, currently taking place in Cairo, winning four medals — one gold, one silver, and two bronze — at the prestigious regional event.The championship, organized by the Egyptian Shooting Federation under the supervision of the Arab Shooting Federation, features more than 300 male and female shooters representing 19 Arab countries. The tournament, which runs until May 1, includes competitions across rifle, air pistol, and shotgun disciplines (skeet and trap).Leading Qatar’s medal tally was Reem Al Sharshani, who clinched gold in the women’s skeet competition after an outstanding performance that saw her qualify for the final with a high score of 120 targets before sealing the top spot. Nasser Al Attiyah added a silver medal in the men’s skeet competition after a fierce battle against some of the region’s top shooters, including Olympic champion Mohammed Al Daihani from Kuwait. In the women’s skeet event, Aisha Al Ansari earned the bronze medal, while Duaa Rahmatullah captured another bronze in the 10m pistol competition.The official training sessions for the trap events are scheduled to begin tomorrow, promising more intense competition in the coming days.It is noteworthy that Qatar’s star shooter Rashid bin Saleh Al Athba, the reigning national skeet champion, did not participate in this tournament due to his commitment to a specialized training camp.The Arab Shooting Championship holds a prominent place on the regional sports calendar, offering an important platform for enhancing competition, exchanging technical expertise, and providing both emerging and elite athletes with valuable experience.President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation, Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Nasr attributed the success to the continuous support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, led by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani.He praised the performances of the Qatari shooters, highlighting Reem Al Sharshani’s outstanding victory and the strong showings from Nasser Al Attiyah, Aisha Al Ansari, and Duaa Rahmatullah. Al Nasr emphasized that these results are a positive sign as Qatar looks ahead to future competitions.Head of the Qatari delegation, Nawal Al Sulaiti, also commended the shooters' performances, noting that the preparation of the rifle, pistol, and shotgun teams had been carefully planned under the guidance of Federation President Dr. Mishaal Al Nasr.Al Sulaiti stated: “Thanks to the efforts of the players and the support of the Federation, we secured four medals, and we are determined to achieve more in the remaining events of this championship as we continue our preparations for upcoming world championships.”