Qatar Olympic Committee unveils details of its inaugural Half Marathon

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) held a press conference this morning to reveal details of the first edition of its Half Marathon 2025, set to take place on Tuesday, February 11, at Lusail Boulevard as part of Qatar National Sports Day celebrations. The QOC also highlighted other sporting activities planned for the occasion at Team Qatar Village, featuring participation from various national sports federations. The press conference was attended by Sheikh Suhaim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of the QOC Half Marathon Organizing Committee, Mr. Abdulaziz Ghanem, Race Director, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani, Head of the Marketing Committee, Mr. Abdulla Al-Marri, Head of the Communication Committee, and Ms. Eman Al Fadala, Lusail Command & Control Center Operation Manager and Representative of Qatari Diar. The Half Marathon will feature four main categories catering to different age groups and fitness levels. Participants can choose from the 21-kilometer Half Marathon, the 10-kilometer race, the 5-kilometer race, and a 1-kilometer Fun Run designed for children aged 6 to 14 years. During the conference, Sheikh Suhaim bin Mohammed Al Thani emphasized QOC’s commitment to ensuring the highest technical standards for the race, guaranteeing a world-class experience for all participants.  He stated that the event aims to promote a strong sports culture in Qatar while encouraging the community to take part in physical activities. He reiterated that the initiative aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and QOC’s vision “To Become a Leading Nation in Bringing The World Together Through Sustainable Sport Development.” Ms. Eman Al Fadala, representing Qatari Diar, expressed the company’s pride in collaborating with QOC for the Half Marathon. She noted that Lusail Boulevard was chosen as the ideal venue, further solidifying Lusail’s status as a premier sports destination. Extensive preparations have been made to ensure a smooth and safe race, including carefully planned race routes in coordination with all relevant authorities. Operational measures include on-site security teams, real-time traffic management, and emergency response coordination managed by the Lusail Command and Control Center, which will oversee all race-related activities. Race Director Abdulaziz Ghanem detailed the official race schedule, stating that the Half Marathon will commence at 6:00 AM, followed by the 10-kilometer race at 7:00 AM. The 5-kilometer race will begin at 7:30 AM, with the 1-kilometer Fun Run scheduled for 8:30 AM.  He highlighted the strong turnout, with more than 100 nationalities already registered, and confirmed that registration will remain open until February 9 through QOC’s digital platforms. Abdulaziz Ghanem underscored QOC’s dedication to runner safety and comfort, noting that water stations, first-aid points, and other logistical support will be available along the course.  He also extended his gratitude to Qatari Diar, the event’s official host partner, for providing essential logistical support in making the event a success. He expressed pride in launching the Half Marathon at Lusail Boulevard, a location rich in sporting and cultural significance. Abdulaziz Ghanem also applauded the support of Team Qatar’s official supporters, including Doha Bank and Al Rayan Bank, along with event sponsors such as The Look, Lab Recovery, Baladi Express, and Al Rayan Mineral Water in addition to the other entities which contribute to the success of the event including Ministry of Interior, Qatar Rail, Qatar Athletics Federation and Qetaifan Islands.  Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani, Head of the Marketing Committee, highlighted the QOC’s broader plans for National Sports Day, including a series of diverse activities at Team Qatar Village in Al Sa’ad Plaza, Lusail.  “Alongside the Half Marathon, QOC will host a range of sports and entertainment activities in collaboration with several national sports federations. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in sports such as athletics, football, basketball, handball, shooting, volleyball, boxing, Qatar Paralympic Committee, and martial arts. The event aims to provide an interactive and engaging experience for participants of all ages, reinforcing the importance of an active lifestyle.” He said.   

Qatar Curling Team suffers defeat against Kyrgyzstan and South Korea in the Winter Asian Games

Harbin , China – The Qatari national curling team faced a tough start to their campaign in the mixed doubles competition at the 9th Winter Asian Games Harbin 2025, suffering defeats against both Kyrgyzstan and South Korea. The tournament, set to officially commence this Friday, will continue until February 14 in the city of Harbin, China. The Qatari duo, Abdulrahman Al-Yafei and Mubarka Salem, fought hard in their opening match but fell to the Kyrgyz team with a close score of 6-8. In their second match, they faced a formidable South Korean side and suffered a heavy 1-14 defeat. Looking to bounce back, the Qatari team will take to the ice again  on Wednesday, with two crucial matches—first against the Philippines and then against Kazakhstan. A total of 847 athletes (513 men and 334 women) are competing in ice events held in Harbin, while 428 athletes (242 men and 186 women) are taking part in snow events in Yabuli. The Games are featuring 64 events across 11 disciplines in six sports, with 32 events taking place on ice in Harbin and another 32 on snow in Yabuli. The participating countries include: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, North Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. It is worth noting that the Olympic Council of Asia organized the Asian Winter Games for the first time in 1986, with the most recent edition held in Sapporo, Japan, in 2017.  

New Qatari Record in 400m Race at Poland International Athletics Championship

Warsaw (QNA)  - Qatari athlete Youssef Abdelaziz won first place in the 400m race at the Poland International Indoor Athletics Championship. The 19-year-old athlete recorded a time of 46.90 seconds, securing first place ahead of competitors from Poland, Turkey, Spain, and Norway. The Poland International Indoor Athletics Championship featured races including the 400m, 60m, 60m hurdles, 1500m, 800m, as well as shot put, long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault. The Qatar Athletics Federation recognized the time recorded by Youssef Abdelaziz as his best personal record this year.  

Qatar International Optimist Regatta 2025 Kicks Off with Strong Start

DOHA (QNA) - Qatar International Optimist Regatta 2025 kicked off Tuesday at Rixos Gulf Hotel beach, organized by Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF). The event, running until February 8, features 52 young sailors from 12 countries. The opening day saw fierce competition as participants battled for top positions. Two races were held, each lasting over an hour, with impressive performances and tight finishes. Qatari sailor Tamim Shams secured fifth place overall with 15 points, finishing ninth in the first race and sixth in the second. Poland’s Erik Kasimierczyk topped the leaderboard with three points after finishing second in the first race and winning the second. Emirati sailor Khalifa Al Rumaithi took second place overall with five points, winning the first race and finishing fourth in the second. Britain's Edward John West ranked third with seven points, placing fifth in the first race and second in the second. Emirati sailor Kornelia Bajak finished fourth with eight points after securing third place in the first race and fifth in the second. Other Qatari sailors also put in strong performances. Youssef Al Ibrahim finished 10th overall with 26 points, while Ali Al Buainain placed 14th with 37 points, and Abdullah Al Buainain came in 17th with 41 points. Further down the rankings, Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud secured 23rd place with 56 points, Fahad Al Ibrahim finished 27th with 60 points, and Khalifa Al Yafei placed 41st with 83 points. In the first race, Khalifa Al Rumaithi claimed victory, followed by Erik Kasimierczyk in second and Kornelia Bajak in third. The second race saw Kasimierczyk take the win, with Edward John West finishing second and Egypt’s Mahmoud Ahmed Qandil securing third. President of QSRF and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Rashid Majid Al Sulaiti, praised the high level of competition, noting the close performances among sailors. In a press statement, Al Sulaiti commended Qatar team’s strong start and expressed confidence in their ability to compete for top positions. He also highlighted the favorable race conditions, with safety measures in place and optimal weather conditions, particularly in terms of wind speed. The championship features participants from 12 countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Turkiye, India, Poland, and United Kingdom.   

Stage ser for 2025 Qatar International Optimist Regatta

DOHA (QNA) - Organized by the Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF), the 2025 Qatar International Optimist Regatta will kick off  today . The competition will run until February 8th at the Rixos Gulf Hotel beach, with 52 athletes from 12 countries taking part. The organizing committee completed the registration process for the male and female competitors today, along with the boat handover and the measurement of sails and boats by a specialized committee from the International Sailing Federation. The committee also held a meeting with the coaches of the participating teams to review the race courses and clarify the rules and regulations of the competition. After receiving their boats, participating team members engaged in training sessions on the racecourse in the sea to familiarize themselves with the boats and the course layout before the official races begin. Competitors are scheduled to participate in two or three races tomorrow, with each race lasting between 45 to 50 minutes, depending on weather conditions and wind speed, which are crucial for the races. The Qatar team is competing with eight sailors: Tamim Shams, Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud, Yusuf Al Ibrahim, Fahd Al Ibrahim, Khalifa Al Yafai, Abdullah Al Buainain, Ali Al Buainain, and Hamad Al Emadi. Qatari sailors have undergone exceptional preparations under the guidance of sailing coach Khalid Batihatim, who emphasized that while the athletes have remarkable potential, they need further development through participation in numerous competitions to gain experience. The coach expressed confidence in the athletes' ability to perform at a high technical level during the championship, based on the outstanding results they recently achieved during their participation in the UAE Open Sailing Championship, held in Abu Dhabi. In turn, Hassan Qassim, member of the Board of Directors of the QSRF and Head of Sailing, explained that the technical staff of the sailing team had prepared a long-term program for distinguished competitors in line with the vision of the Federation and the directives of the Qatar Olympic Committee, in order to develop their levels and compete in all events. In a press statement, Qassim said that the Qatar International Optimist Regatta will be a good opportunity for participants to interact with different schools and acquire skills, as well as an important station within the preparation program for the team competitors, especially since the championship will be a practical experience on the ground to demonstrate capabilities, creativity and competition. He added that the championship includes 6 referees accredited by the International Sailing Federation, and that the races will be held according to the international laws and regulations followed, as the races are closely monitored at sea to ensure the safety of the competitors. Qassim emphasized that the federation aims to deliver a successful and outstanding championship in all aspects, whether organizational, technical, or in terms of showcasing the Qatari team's performance. The goal is to achieve positive results and win medals that will add to their distinguished record, which is nothing new for the State of Qatar. Countries participating in the championship are Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Turkey, India, Poland, and the UK.  

Team Qatar looks for new glory at Asian Winter Games 2025

HARBIN - Qatar will commence its participation on Tuesday, in the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025, which will officially open on February 7 and continue until February 14 in the Chinese city of Harbin. Qatar’s participation will begin with the curling competitions, where the Qatari national team will play two matches on Tuesday against Kyrgyzstan and South Korea in the mixed doubles category. The Qatari curling team consists of 12 players: Abdulrahman Qassem Al-Yafei, Ahmed Saad Al-Fahad, Nasser Abdulrahman Al-Yafei, Mubarak Salem Al-Marri, Mohammed Hassan Al-Nuaimi, Naif Badr Al-Rumaihi, Al-Dana Ahmed Al-Fahad, Sarah Hamoud Al-Qeet, Fatima Ahmed Al-Fahad, Hosina Hassan Al-Fahad, Mubarka Salem Al-Abdullah, and Amina Hamoud Al-Qeet. Qatar is competing in four sports at the Games,  short-track speed skating, snowboarding, alpine skiing, and curling. The 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 will see the participation of 1,275 athletes (755 male and 520 female), representing 34 National Olympic Committees from across Asia, marking a record-breaking and unprecedented number in the history of the Games. A total of 847 athletes (513 men and 334 women) will compete in ice events held in Harbin, while 428 athletes (242 men and 186 women) will take part in snow events in Yabuli. The Games will feature 64 events across 11 disciplines in six sports, with 32 events taking place on ice in Harbin and another 32 on snow in Yabuli. The participating countries include: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, North Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. It is worth noting that the Olympic Council of Asia organized the Asian Winter Games for the first time in 1986, with the most recent edition held in Sapporo, Japan, in 2017.