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. 

ACC Men’s U16 West Zone Cup 2025 kicks off in Doha

Doha: The ACC Men’s U16 West Zone Cup 2025 began today, Wednesday, in Doha, bringing together six national teams—Qatar (host), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain—for a tournament that will continue until May 5.In a press conference held on the eve of the opening day, the Qatar Cricket Committee revealed details about the championship. The event was attended by Tushar Perera, Director of Finance and Operations at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Khalid Al-Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Qatar Cricket Committee and Tournament Director, and Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Assistant Tournament Director.Al-Suwaidi welcomed the participating delegations and highlighted the significance of this tournament as the first-ever “50-over” youth cricket competition hosted by Qatar. He explained that matches in this format can last between five to seven hours, and the event serves as a stepping stone toward the upcoming U19 and senior-level continental tournaments. He also stressed Qatar’s readiness to host various levels of cricket tournaments and its ongoing coordination with both the Asian Cricket Council and the International Cricket Council to express its interest in organizing larger-scale regional and global events.Al-Suwaidi confirmed that all logistical and technical preparations had been completed for the championship, which will be played over 13 days at two venues: the West End International Cricket Stadium and the Doha University of Science and Technology Ground. The tournament includes three rest days strategically placed between fixtures.The championship opened with two matches: Oman faced Saudi Arabia at the Doha University of Science and Technology Ground, while Qatar played Bahrain at the West End International Stadium. On the second day, Kuwait met the UAE at the same stadium. The action continues with group-stage matchups, rest days, and a final scheduled for May 5, followed by the trophy presentation to the winning team.Al-Suwaidi noted that ten umpires have been appointed to officiate the matches across the venues. Speaking about Qatar’s readiness, he shared that the national U16 team had undergone intensive preparation, including local training camps and several friendly matches with domestic and international teams. He expressed confidence in the players’ ability to deliver strong performances and hoped they would challenge for the title.He concluded by confirming that the tournament winner will qualify for the next U19 championship, the details of which will be announced at a later date. 

Stage set for Asian Beach Volleyball Open in Doha

DOHA -  The Qatar Volleyball Association announced on Tuesday that Doha will host the men's Asian Beach Volleyball Open, set to take place from April 30 to May 4 at the Al Gharrafa Beach Courts.A total of 21 teams representing 10 countries from across the continent will take part in this prestigious tournament. The participating nations include: Australia (3 teams), Japan (3 teams), Thailand (3 teams), Saudi Arabia (2 teams), Oman (2 teams), Bahrain (2 teams), Iran (2 teams), Uzbekistan (2 teams), New Zealand (1 team)Qatar will be represented by the elite duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, who are ranked among the world’s top beach volleyball pairs. They are aiming to add another title to their impressive record and further elevate Qatar’s standing on the international stage.Given the caliber of teams and players confirmed for the event, the Asian Beach Volleyball Open in Doha is expected to draw considerable attention. For many of the participating teams, the tournament is a key opportunity to improve their international rankings. 

Stage all set for 2nd edition of Al Shaqab International Showjumping League

DOHA - The second edition of the Al Shaqab International League, a premier showjumping series will take place at the Longines Indoor Arena of Al Shaqab from April 24 to 26.Competitions will take place on Thursday from 4pm 7pm, on Friday from 2pm to 9pm, and on Saturday from 10am to 10pm.A highlight of this edition is its role as a qualifying event for the FEI Group VII Final, under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Riders from across Group VII nations, which includes countries from the Middle East and North Africa will compete for a chance to secure their place in the final, which will also be hosted by Al Shaqab in November 2025.The league offers a wide range of categories to cater to both local and international participants across different age groups and experience levels. Local categories include Intro 1 (40 cm), Intro 2 (60 cm), Intro 3 (80 cm), and Amateur (100 cm).Internationally recognised categories are designed to spotlight emerging talent and include Future Champions (ages 12–14, 105–110 cm), Junior Champions (ages 14–18, 115–120 cm), Youth Champions (ages 16–21, 125–130 cm), Open Class (115–120 cm), and the elite Al Shaqab Champions category (135–140 cm). The Future, Junior, and Youth Champions classes serve as qualifying events for the FEI Group VII Final.Al Shaqab continues to foster a culture of excellence, discipline, and sportsmanship through this platform, which not only nurtures local talent but also contributes to the growth of equestrian sport on a global scale. 

Asian U-17 Handball Championship Draw Places Qatar in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, China

Amman - The draw for the first Asian U-17 Handball Championship has placed the Qatari national team in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia and China.The tournament is scheduled to be held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, from Jul. 1 to 11 and will serve as the Asian qualifiers for the first U-17 World Championship, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco from October 24 to Nov. 1, 2025.Group A includes Kuwait, Bahrain, and Hong Kong. Group C includes Jordan, Chinese Taipei, and India.Group D includes South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, and the Maldives.The top two teams from the Asian Championship will qualify to represent Asia at the inaugural U-17 World Championship in Morocco.  

FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 LOC, Qatar Basketball Federation and Qatari Diar sign agreement to host Lusail 3x3 Challenger

Doha:  The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, and the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) have signed a cooperation agreement with Qatari Diar, to host the Lusail 3x3 Challenger on 2–3 May 2025 at Lusail Boulevard, Al Sadd Plaza.The agreement was signed in the presence of Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director General of the LOC for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and Fahad Abdullatif Al Jahrami, Chief Development and Asset Management Officer of Qatari Diar.The Lusail 3x3 Challenger is an internationally recognized basketball competition that will bring together some of the world’s top 3x3 teams for an exciting showdown in the heart of Qatar. The tournament will feature the participation of 16 teams representing 11 countries from across the globe, including; Toulouse (France), Liman and Partizan (Serbia), Carolina (Puerto Rico), NY Harlem (USA), Lugano (Switzerland), Kandava (Latvia), Kaunas (Lithuania), Marbella (Spain), Kigali (Rwanda), Nishinomiya (Japan), in addition to five teams from Qatar: Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Gharafa, and Al Khor.The Lusail 3x3 Challenger will also serve as a key milestone in the Road to 2027, promoting community engagement, youth participation, and international awareness for basketball in the lead-up to the World Cup.This agreement represents a strategic step in engaging new audiences and building momentum toward the World Cup. With the backdrop of Lusail’s vibrant cityscape and Qatari Diar’s cutting-edge development, the tournament promises to deliver both world-class competition and memorable fan experiences.Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director General of the LOC for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, said:"Hosting the Lusail 3x3 Challenger marks an exciting chapter in our journey toward the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. This event reflects our commitment to bringing basketball closer to the community through high-energy, globally recognized competitions. We are proud to work with Qatari Diar and the FIBA to deliver world-class 3x3 action to Lusail, offering fans a dynamic sporting experience while showcasing Qatar’s growing role in global basketball development."