Qatar Basketball Team Step Up Preparations for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Doha : Qatar’s men’s basketball team are continuing their preparations for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, where they will be aiming to deliver strong performances and compete for a leading position in one of Asia’s biggest multi-sport events.The Asian Games will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, although the men’s 5x5 basketball competition in Nagoya will begin ahead of the official Opening Ceremony. Qatar will open their campaign against Iran on Thursday, September 10, in their first Group B match.The draw placed Qatar alongside Iran, Jordan and Chinese Taipei in Group B.Qatar will face Jordan in their second match on Saturday, September 12, before concluding the preliminary round against Chinese Taipei on Sunday, September 13.Group A features Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, while Group C comprises China, the Philippines, Bahrain and Kazakhstan.The knockout stage will begin following the preliminary round, with the quarterfinals scheduled for Wednesday, September 16. Should Qatar qualify, their quarterfinal will take place at 4:00 AM Doha time.The semifinals are scheduled for Friday, September 18, while the men’s basketball competition will conclude on Sunday, September 20, with the bronze-medal match and final, followed by the medal ceremony.Qatar head into Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with a distinguished history in 5x5 basketball at both continental and international level. One of the national team’s most significant achievements came in 2006, when Qatar qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time, with the tournament also held in Japan.That qualification marked a milestone in the history of Qatari basketball, as the national team reached the sport’s biggest global stage for the first time and demonstrated their ability to compete beyond regional and continental competitions.At the continental level, Qatar have also enjoyed notable success at the FIBA Asia Cup, winning the bronze medal in two consecutive editions in 2003 and 2005, among the team’s most significant achievements in the competition.Qatar also claimed the Asian Challenge Cup title in 2004, adding another major continental honour to their record.The national team have also established a strong record at regional level through their appearances in the Gulf and West Asian championships, where they have won several titles over the years. 

Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan Reach Asian Championship Round of 16 with Perfect Record

Shangluo, China: Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Shangluo, China, after topping Pool B with a perfect record of three consecutive victories.Cherif and Tijan secured their third win by defeating Thailand’s Nitithorn and Poravid 2–0 (21–18, 21–11), completing the pool stage unbeaten.The Qatari pair had opened their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Malaysia’s Teh and Yong Jian, before overcoming New Zealand’s Sam and Ben O’Dea in their second match.With three wins from three matches, Cherif and Tijan finished top of Pool B and secured their place in the Round of 16 as they continue their challenge for the continental title.Meanwhile, Qatar’s Mousa Al Khair and Mohammed Ehab Zaki concluded their pool-stage campaign with a 2–0 (21–12, 21–12) victory over the Hong Kong pair, recording their first win of the championship. They had earlier lost 2–0 to China’s Wang and Du Hongjun and 2–0 (21–19, 21–18) to Thailand’s Pitak and Watchirawit.The championship features 24 teams divided into six pools of four, with each pool played in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, advance directly to the Round of 16, while the remaining four third-placed teams contest playoffs for the final two places.The knockout stage begins on Friday with the playoffs and Round of 16. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held on Saturday, before the championship concludes on Sunday with the bronze-medal match and final at the central court of the Shangluo Sports Complex.Cherif and Tijan enter the knockout rounds with an impressive record that includes bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, fourth place at Paris 2024, three Asian titles and two Asian Games gold medals. The pair also claimed gold at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games in April. 

Qatar Ready to Host 10th FISU World University Weightlifting Championship

Doha: Qatar is preparing to host another major international sporting event as the 10th FISU World University Weightlifting Championship – Doha 2026 takes place from September 8 to 12.Organized by the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation under the umbrella of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the championship will bring together athletes and university delegations from around the world.The Doha edition carries particular significance as it marks the return of the championship for the first time since 2018, following a lengthy interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the international sporting calendar.A total of 116 male and female weightlifters representing 21 countries from across the world will compete in eight weight categories for both men and women. The championship is expected to feature a high level of competition, with several participating student-athletes also competing internationally and representing their national teams at continental and world championships.Competitions will be held at the Student Center in Education City, Doha, with organizers putting in place comprehensive arrangements designed to meet international standards and provide an ideal environment for athletes and participating delegations.The championship will be the second global event organized by the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation since its official establishment in 2023, following its hosting of a university 3x3 basketball championship. The event forms part of the Federation’s strategy to strengthen Qatar’s presence on the international university sports calendar and further consolidate the country’s position as a global sporting destination.As part of the final preparations, the Organizing Committee will hold a press conference on Sunday to announce the latest technical and organizational details. Officials from the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation and FISU, along with sustainability and sponsorship partners, are expected to attend.The championship’s official opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday evening, marking the start of five days of competition to determine the 2026 world university champions.The event is expected to attract significant media and spectator interest, with the detailed competition schedule and accompanying activities to be announced in due course.

Qatar Olympic Committee Honours 102 Employees at “Journey & Achievement Ceremony 2026”

Doha: In the presence of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), the QOC held its “Journey & Achievement Ceremony 2026” today at its headquarters, celebrating its employees and recognising their dedication, outstanding performance and commitment to continuous learning and development.The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; H.E. Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; and H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, along with a number of QOC department directors.H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani honoured 102 QOC employees, including 30 recipients of the Appreciation, Excellence, Incentive and “Ambition” awards, as well as 72 graduates of the 2025 development programmes.The Appreciation Award comprised two categories: employees who have completed 25 years or more of service, in recognition of their longstanding dedication, loyalty and contributions to the QOC’s journey; and retired employees who concluded their careers after years of service and achievement, in appreciation of their efforts and contributions throughout their time at the QOC.The Excellence Award featured three categories: Supervisory Positions, Specialist Category and Employee Category, recognising employees who demonstrated outstanding leadership and team management, professional and specialised competence, high-quality performance, and a continued commitment to developing their skills and professional capabilities.The Incentive Awards comprised five categories: Job Commitment Award, Initiative Award, Cooperation and Teamwork Award, Distinguished Team Leader Award, and Effective Participation in Organising Sports Events Award. The awards recognised employees who demonstrated outstanding commitment, initiative, collaboration and leadership, as well as those who made notable contributions to the successful organisation of sporting events.The QOC also honoured seven employees with the “Ambition” Award, which is presented to employees who obtained academic qualifications during 2025, in recognition of their ambition and commitment to continuing their education and developing their academic and professional capabilities in ways that benefit the QOC.The ceremony also recognised 72 employees who graduated from five development programmes in 2025. These included 12 graduates of the Leadership Excellence Programme, 15 from the Sports Events Organising Cadres Programme, 15 from the Competencies Programme, 15 from the Tawasol Programme and 15 from the Artificial Intelligence Programme.The programmes aim to develop the leadership and professional capabilities of QOC employees, prepare and qualify the next generation of leaders, and develop qualified personnel capable of managing and organising sporting events efficiently and professionally. They also seek to strengthen institutional communication skills and promote the effective use of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace to support digital transformation and enhance institutional performance.The Tawasol and Artificial Intelligence programmes were recently introduced under the direction of H.E. the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The Tawasul Programme focuses on developing employees’ institutional communication skills, strengthening their ability to build effective professional relationships and represent the QOC professionally at local and international forums. The Artificial Intelligence Programme aims to equip employees with the skills to utilise artificial intelligence tools in the workplace.Maryam Al Kuwari: Creativity is a culture and a practice in the workplaceMs. Maryam Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Affairs at the Qatar Olympic Committee, said that the “Journey & Achievement 2026” ceremony provides an opportunity to recognise the efforts of QOC employees and celebrate examples of dedication, excellence and ambition, noting that every achievement is underpinned by a journey of hard work, commitment and development.She said: “Every year, through ‘Journey & Achievement’, we seek to highlight a value that we want to embed in our daily practices and workplace culture. This year, we have chosen ‘Creativity’, reflecting our belief that organisations looking to the future do not simply repeat what has worked in the past, but continuously seek better ways of working and developing.”Al Kuwari highlighted the QOC’s commitment to attracting outstanding talent from leading universities, with a focus on specialised fields that align with the Committee’s current and future needs. She noted that over the past three years, the QOC has recruited 98 employees, including talented professionals and graduates from leading universities, across specialised fields including sports management, information systems, law, finance and accounting, marketing and communications, among others.She added that the QOC has witnessed a significant increase in women’s participation in its workforce in recent years, with women now accounting for 42% of the QOC’s total workforce, alongside increased female representation in supervisory and leadership positions.Al Kuwari added that the QOC’s responsibility does not end with attracting talent, but extends to developing and investing in its employees. She noted that the QOC began its development programme journey in 2019 with just one programme, and today, thanks to the continued support and guidance of the QOC’s senior leadership, it has five specialised development programmes: the Sports Events Organising Cadres Programme, Competencies Programme, Leadership Excellence Programme, Artificial Intelligence Programme and Tawasol Programme.She explained that 277 employees from across the QOC’s departments have graduated from the five development programmes since their launch. In addition, nearly 100 training courses and awareness, educational and learning programmes were delivered in 2025, benefiting approximately 1,000 employees from QOC departments, sports federations and committees.Al Kuwari also highlighted the importance of the Artificial Intelligence Programme in developing employees’ ability to effectively utilise AI technologies and tools in the workplace, helping to improve productivity, enhance working methods and identify more efficient and innovative solutions. 

Qatar Beach Volleyball Teams Begin Asian Championship Campaign in China

Shangluo, China: Qatar’s two beach volleyball teams began their campaigns at the 2026 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship, currently underway in Shangluo, China, and continuing until September 6, with 24 teams from across Asia and Oceania taking part.Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan made a winning start in Pool B, defeating Malaysia’s Teh and Yong Jian 2–0 (21–8, 21–5). Meanwhile, Mousa Al Khair and Mohammed Ehab Zaki lost their opening Pool F match to China’s Wang and Du Hongjun 2–0 (21–12, 21–12).Cherif and Tijan will continue their pool-stage campaign against New Zealand’s Sam and Ben O’Dea, before facing Thailand’s Nitithorn and Poravid, as they look to maintain their winning start and secure a place in the knockout rounds.In Pool F, Al Khair and Ehab will next face Thailand’s Pitak and Watchirawit, before taking on Hong Kong’s Lee and Lee.The championship features 24 teams divided into six pools of four, with each pool played in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance directly to the Round of 16. The remaining four third-placed teams will contest playoffs for the final two places in the knockout stage.The knockout rounds begin on September 4 with the playoffs and Round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals on September 5. The bronze-medal match and final will take place on September 6 at the central court of the Shangluo Sports Complex.Cherif and Tijan enter the championship with an impressive record of achievements, including bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and fourth place at Paris 2024, as well as three Asian titles and two Asian Games gold medals. Most recently, the pair claimed gold at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games in April.Al Khair and Ehab, meanwhile, arrive in China following a series of strong performances, highlighted by a silver medal in the second and final round of the West Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Batroun, Lebanon, last month.The 2026 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship represents an important part of the participating teams’ preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the qualification pathway towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Team Qatar to Compete in West Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Jordan

Doha: Qatar’s women’s national volleyball team will compete in the third edition of the West Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, to be held in Amman, Jordan, from September 3 to 7, with Qatar, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon taking part.The Qatari delegation will depart for Amman on Tuesday ahead of the championship, where Team Qatar will be aiming to achieve positive results, challenge for the title and secure qualification for the 2027 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship.Qatar will open their campaign against hosts Jordan on Thursday, September 3, at 6:00 PM in the second match of the opening day, following the Lebanon-Iraq encounter at 4:00 PM.In the second round on Saturday, September 5, Qatar will face Iraq at 4:00 PM, before Jordan take on Lebanon at 6:00 PM.Team Qatar will conclude their campaign against Lebanon on Monday, September 7, at 4:00 PM, while Jordan face Iraq at 6:00 PM in the final match of the championship.The tournament will be played in a single round-robin format, with each team playing three matches. The team with the most victories at the end of the competition will be crowned champions, while the winners will also secure direct qualification for the 2027 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, scheduled for June next year.The Qatari delegation includes the technical, administrative and medical staff, along with 12 players. The team are led by Argentine head coach Lucas Carolo, assisted by Nahuel Alejandro, with Nicolas Vazquez serving as fitness coach, Fatima Al Asaad as physiotherapist and Ghadeer Issam as team administrator.Qatar’s squad comprises Dana Saber, Somaya Yahya, Ladan Al Waleed, Tasneem Yasser, Lamis Abdulrahman, Al Mayassa Diab, Bendaa Fatima Ibrahim, Damla Yagmur, Maryam Ammar, Nelly Amr, Lujain Mahmoud and Shadia Yasser.The West Asian Volleyball Association previously conducted the championship draw virtually from Doha in the presence of Mohammed Salem Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the West Asian Volleyball Association; Yousef Ahmed Kanoo, Treasurer of the Association; Pascale Al Kassouf of Lebanon, Chair of the Championship Control Committee; and representatives of the participating national federations.The participating teams and delegations are scheduled to arrive in Amman on Tuesday, with preliminary team formalities taking place on Wednesday ahead of the start of competition on Thursday. The delegations will depart Jordan on September 8.