FIVB and QOC leadership explore opportunities for volleyball in Qatar

Productive collaboration continues to strengthen the Global Volleyball Movement Lausanne -The leadership of the FIVB and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) met Wednesday at the FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to discuss opportunities for volleyball’s growth and development in Qatar. His Excellency Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain represented the QOC, while FIVB President Fabio Azevedo led discussions on behalf of the FIVB. The meeting built on discussions held in December 2024 between the two organisations, further advancing the roadmap for volleyball activities in Qatar and the Middle East. It also further strengthened cooperation in line with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which is founded on the key pillars of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation, under the motto “Together as One”. Qatar has a strong history in the sport, particularly beach volleyball. Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan claimed bronze for Qatar at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Doha also hosts major international events, including the Beach Pro Tour Finals, and last year successfully staged the historic 2024 WAVA U20 Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship—the first-ever junior female beach volleyball tournament in the Middle East, supported by Olympic Solidarity.  

QOC Secretary General Meets with FIBA Secretary General at House of Basketball

MIES, Switzerland – His Excellency Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met with FIBA Secretary General Mr. Andreas Zagklis at House of Basketball to discuss areas of collaboration between QOC and FIBA. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, particularly in advancing basketball’s development in Asia, with Qatar playing a key role in expanding the sport across all levels. The meeting also covered Qatar’s preparations for hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Doha, with a commitment to delivering an innovative, fan-focused tournament that leaves a lasting legacy. Additionally, both parties discussed the upcoming events and preparations ahead of 2027. The meeting reaffirmed the strong relationship between QOC and FIBA and reinforced Qatar’s position as a global hub for major sporting events.  

QOC Secretary General meets UWW President

Lausanne: His Excellency Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met today in Lausanne, Switzerland with Mr. Nenad Lalovic, President of the United World Wrestling (UWW) and Executive Board Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The meeting discussed areas of sport cooperation between QOC and UWW, with a particular focus on developing the sport of wrestling in Qatar and the region. The two sides also emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration and exchanging expertise to reinforce the fundamental values of the Olympic Movement.

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Reaffirms Commitment to Empowering Women and Girls in Sport at High-Level Forum

GENEVA – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and girls in and through sport at the High-Level Side Event on "Empowering Women and Girls in and through Sport," held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on February 25, 2025. The event was co-organized by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva, QOC, and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) as part of the Human Rights Council’s 58th Session. The forum brought together an esteemed gathering of government officials, diplomats, sports specialists, representatives from international and regional sports organizations, civil society partners, and individuals dedicated to advancing the role of sports in safeguarding human rights, promoting peace, and driving global development. The forum was attended by high-ranking Qatari officials, including H.E. Dr. Hend Abdulrahman Al-Muftah, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva; H.E. Mrs. Maryam Ali Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation; H.E. Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee; and Mr. Mohammed Al-Henzab, President of the International Centre for Sport Security. As part of these efforts, QOC has launched initiatives such as the Creating Pathways program, designed to encourage girls aged 12 to 16 to engage in sports. Additionally, strategic partnerships with national athletics, basketball, and volleyball federations play a crucial role in grassroots development and high-performance pathways for female athletes. With Doha set to host the 2030 Asian Games, QOC remains committed to strengthening women's national teams and embedding gender equality as a core pillar of its long-term vision. Beyond competition, its approach encompasses leadership development, coaching opportunities, and greater representation for women in sports administration. The event also marked the announcement of a dedicated fund aimed at supporting projects that empower women and girls in sport. This initiative seeks to address systemic challenges, including gender bias in sports governance, unequal access to resources, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, delivered a keynote address emphasizing Qatar’s dedication to gender equity in sport. He stated: "It is a privilege to be here today and reflect on the extraordinary power of sport as a catalyst for equality and opportunity. Sport has a unique ability to transcend borders, unite people, and inspire transformation—particularly for women and girls who, in many places, continue to face systemic barriers to progress." Commenting on QOC’s initiatives, he added: "Through partnership initiatives like the Creating Pathways program, which encourages girls aged 12 to 16 to participate in sports, we are ensuring that the future of sport in Qatar is inclusive, accessible, and transformative. Our partnerships with athletics, basketball, and volleyball federations are just the beginning of a broader strategy to foster grassroots development and sporting excellence." His Excellency further emphasized the importance of collaboration: "Achieving this vision requires more than just commitment—it demands collective action. Governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society must work together to drive inclusive, equitable, and sustainable progress. Events like today provide an invaluable platform for sharing ideas, forging partnerships, and turning dialogue into action." During a dynamic panel discussion at the forum, Team Qatar equestrian star Maryam Al-Buainain shared her personal perspective: "As a proud athlete, a proud Qatari, and an Arab woman, I want to use my experience and my story to challenge stereotypes and contribute to a world where more girls and women can be empowered through sport." She highlighted the broader societal impact of sport, stating: "Sport fosters social cohesion and helps build more peaceful, united communities. It is something we should all champion and promote." Concluding her remarks, she expressed gratitude for the forum: "I am grateful for events like this, which highlight the importance of ensuring equal access to sport for women and girls." QOC’s participation in the event aligns with its broader mission to leverage sport as a vehicle for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in gender equality, education, and social inclusion. The organization also supports the Olympic Refuge Foundation, advocating for the role of sport in providing hope and resilience to displaced communities. By engaging in this high-level dialogue, QOC continues to lead efforts toward gender equity in sport, reinforcing the need for collaboration between governments, international organizations, and civil society to drive meaningful and lasting change.  

QTSBF International Men’s Squash Championship Kicks Off in Doha

DOHA – The second edition of the QTSBF International Men’s Squash Championship 2025 got underway today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The tournament, featuring some of the world’s top squash players, runs until February 28. As a Bronze category event on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour, the championship serves as a crucial opportunity for players to improve their world rankings. The total prize pool stands at $60,500. The opening day delivered intense action, with Britain’s George Parker battling past Egypt’s Ibrahim El-Kabbani in a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Parker sealed the match after five competitive games (10-12, 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 11-1). Egypt’s Yahya El-Nouissany also secured a spot in the second round, overcoming his compatriot Ali Hussein in another close 3-2 encounter (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6). Meanwhile, Scotland’s Rory Stewart triumphed over Brazil’s Rui Soares in an epic 84-minute showdown, winning 3-2 in a dramatic final game (11-0, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 20-18). Britain’s Declan James also delivered a commanding performance, defeating Egypt’s Mostafa El Serty 3-1 with a strong finish (11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6). The second round begins tomorrow (Tuesday), as the tournament’s top-seeded players join the competition. Qatari fans will be eagerly watching homegrown star Abdulla Al-Tamimi, the tournament’s sixth seed, as he takes on Scotland’s Rory Stewart in a highly anticipated match. Additionally, Egypt’s Tarek Momen, the tournament’s top seed, will make his debut after receiving a first-round bye. He is set to face Britain’s George Parker in what promises to be a thrilling contest. Tournament Director Saad Al-Mohannadi praised the high level of competition from day one, emphasizing the tournament’s growing international stature. “We are witnessing outstanding participation from world-class players, and we expect top-tier matches in the upcoming rounds. This championship offers fans a unique chance to see the best in the sport compete at the highest level,” he said. With elite players battling for the title and valuable ranking points, the tournament promises electrifying action until its conclusion on February 28.  

Qatar beat India to finish 1-2 with Iran after strong close-outs

DOHA - Iran and Qatar secured 1-2 finishes in Group E after acing their respective assignments for a strong windup to their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers campaigns Monday night. Team Melli clinched the top position following an 88-45 conquest of Kazakhstan at the Jekpe-Jek Saraiy, while the Qataris overpowered India by way of an 81-61 result at the Al Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall as both teams now have their sights set on preparing for the tournament proper in which they have already qualified. All players of Coach Sotirios Manolopoulos scored in beating the Steppen Wolves, with lead floor general Sina Vahedi showing the way with 20 points alongside 4 rebounds and 4 assists to net an efficiency of 22. Matin Aghajanpour supplied 16 points as he drilled half of the team’s 8 triples. Mohammad Amini, who starred in their win against India the last time out, chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds off the bench in the win that saw the team shoot an excellent 55.1-percent from the floor, thanks to their 22 assists as a collective. Iran finished the Qualifiers with a 5-1 record after winning both of their matches this Window 3, with their lone loss coming from Qatar last November in easily one of this tournament’s best matches. And just like the three-time Asia Cup winners, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 hosts swept their outings in this window as well after that dominant performance against the team from South Asia. Coach Hakan Demir’s charges broke away in the second quarter with a 25-4 assault for a 42-22 halftime lead and never let up, eventually finishing with a 4-2 record as they ended the Qualifiers with three successive wins.