Sweden's Leo Borg wins Qatar ITF World Tennis Tour 2025 Title

Doha:  Swedish tennis star Leo Borg emerged victorious in the first Qatar ITF World Tennis Tour 2025, hosted by the Qatar Tennis Federation at the Khalifa International Complex. The week-long tournament saw participation from 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams, delivering thrilling competition.   Borg clinched the singles title by defeating Belgium’s Thibault Colson in an intense final. After a commanding start in the first set (6-1), Borg faced a resilient challenge in the second set (3-6) but rallied back to secure the decider (7-5), marking his first championship win of the year.   In the doubles category, the Romanian duo of Adrian Boitan and Bogdan Pavel captured the title, dominating the Bulgarian pair Yanaki Milev and Pyotar Nesterov in straight sets (6-2, 6-1).   Saad Al Mohannadi, Executive Director of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel, and Badminton Federation, praised the tournament’s success, calling it a vital stepping stone for young players aiming to build their professional careers. He highlighted the significance of such events in helping players earn crucial ranking points to boost their global standings and qualify for higher-tier ATP tournaments.   The tournament director reiterated the Federation’s commitment to providing invaluable opportunities for Qatari players, emphasizing their dedication to nurturing local talent and supporting them as they embark on their professional journeys.  

Team Qatar to take Netherlands in 29th IHF Men's World Championship's Main Round

Zagreb, January 20 (QNA) - The Qatar national handball team will face their Dutch counterparts on Tuesday, in their first match in the main round of the 29th IHF Men's World Championship, running in Croatia, Norway, and Denmark, until February 2. Team Qatar are competing within Group B, alongside France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, and North Macedonia, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the quarterfinals, the first knockout stage of the championship. Qatar qualified for the main round after finishing third in Group C in the preliminary round, where they secured one win against Kuwait with a score of 25-22, alongside two losses one to France with a score of 19-37 and the other to Austria with a score of 26-28. This marks Qatar's 10th participation in the World Championship, following previous appearances in Portugal 2003, Tunisia 2005, Germany 2007, Spain 2013, Qatar 2015, France 2017, Germany and Denmark 2019, Egypt 2021, and Poland and Sweden 2023. Qatar's best performance came in 2015, when they finished second in their home country.   

Qatar’s Table Tennis Duo Breaks into ITTF Mixed Doubles Top 100

Doha: Qatar’s table tennis stars, Mohamed Abdulwahab and Aya Mohamed, have made history by securing a place in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) mixed doubles top 100 rankings for the first time. This remarkable achievement highlights their dedication and skill, marking a significant moment in Qatar’s sporting journey. The duo soared an impressive 633 places in the January 2025 rankings, landing at 96th with a total of 107 points. Their leap up the rankings comes on the heels of a strong performance at the 30th Qatar International Table Tennis Championship (WTT Star Contender Doha 2025), held at Lusail International Arena from January 6 to 11. In the tournament, Abdulwahab and Aya showcased their talent by reaching the quarterfinals. They defeated the Australian duo, Huon Bai and Min Hwang Ji, in a thrilling 3-2 match in the round of 16. However, their journey concluded in the quarterfinals after a tough match against South Korea’s world No. 2 duo, Cho Daeseong and Shin Yubin, ending in a 3-0 scoreline. This milestone positions the Qatari pair just two points behind South Korea’s Jang Woojin and Jeon Jihee, ranked 97th globally. Regionally, they now rank as the 8th best mixed doubles pair in the Arab world. At the top of the global rankings, China continues to dominate with Wang Chuqin, the world’s No. 1 male player, and Sun Yingsha, the world’s No. 1 female player, leading the mixed doubles category. The Qatar Table Tennis Association is committed to supporting Abdulwahab and Aya as they prepare for upcoming international events. The association is focused on equipping the duo to compete at the highest level, including the qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.  

Four teams for 2nd edition of International Friendly Basketball

DOHA - The Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) on Monday officially announced the upcoming second edition of the International Friendly Basketball Championship, scheduled for 2025. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Federation’s conference hall, attended by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary-General of the QBF; Mishaal Abdullah Al Maliki, a Board Member and Chairman of the Media Committee; and Fouad Gerges, Founder and CEO of Step Ahead Company, along with representatives from various media outlets. Al Kuwari commenced the conference by extending a warm welcome to all attendees and confirmed that the QBF has entered into a partnership with Step Ahead Sports Company to facilitate the organization of this championship, which will take place from February 14 to 16 at the Qatar University Hall. This tournament is part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting and preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which will be hosted by Qatar. Al Kuwari further elaborated that the tournament will feature the participation of four national teams: Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, and the Philippines, recognised as some of the top teams from Asia and Africa. The primary objective of the tournament is to enhance the Qatari team’s preparedness for the third Asian window of the qualifiers for the 2025 Asian Cup. The Qatari team is scheduled to compete in an away match against the Kazakhstan team on February 21, followed by a home game against the Indian team in Doha on February 24. Al Kuwari emphasized that the qualifiers will take place on a home-and-away basis across three windows, with the top two teams from each group qualifying directly for the Asian Cup. The teams finishing in third place will enter additional qualifiers to determine four more teams that will complete the roster for the continental championship, set to occur in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next August. Al Kuwari confirmed that the participating teams are expected to arrive in Doha on February 12 and 13, with departures scheduled for February 17 and 18. He noted that all tournament matches will be hosted at the Qatar University Hall, which has a capacity of 5,000 spectators. He expressed optimism that the tournament will attract a significant audience and be well-received due to the high caliber of sportsmanship on display. Furthermore, Al Kuwari disclosed that the partnership agreement with Step Ahead Company will facilitate numerous tournaments and friendly matches for the Qatari national team, aimed at optimal preparation for the 2027 World Cup, the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region. Gerges conveyed his satisfaction regarding the signing of a three-year cooperation agreement with the Qatar Basketball Federation, which will facilitate the organization of the second edition of the 2025 International Friendly Basketball Championship scheduled for next February.  

Qatar Olympic Committee gears up for the 2025 Half Marathon

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is ramping up preparations for the inaugural QOC Half Marathon, scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Organized as part of National Sport Day, this milestone event aims to encourage a passion for physical activity and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle within the community. The Half Marathon will feature four race categories to ensure inclusivity for participants of all ages and fitness levels. The 21-kilometer Half Marathon and the 10-kilometer race are open to participants born in 2007 or earlier. For younger runners, there’s a 5-kilometer race for those born in 2010 or earlier and a 1-kilometer fun run for children born between 2011 and 2019.   This exciting event underscores QOC’s mission to promote sports as a cornerstone of a thriving and healthy society, aligning seamlessly with Qatar National Vision 2030. The Half Marathon offers a vibrant platform for people of all ages to come together and celebrate the spirit of National Sport Day.   The race will take place at Lusail Boulevard, a venue that has hosted some of Qatar’s most iconic events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023. With its world-class facilities and dynamic setting, Lusail Boulevard provides the perfect backdrop for this inaugural race and other festivities marking the occasion.   Salah Al-Saadi, Assistant Director of Sports Events at QOC, shared his enthusiasm about the upcoming event. “Preparations are well underway to ensure the QOC Half Marathon is a world-class experience. Our team is committed to upholding the high standards of quality and professionalism that Qatar is known for, focusing on every detail to provide participants with a seamless and memorable experience.”   He highlighted Lusail Boulevard’s unique appeal as a venue, stating, “We chose this location for its stunning setting and its reflection of Qatar’s modern infrastructure. It’s an ideal space to bring people together, foster community spirit, and celebrate the transformative power of sports.”   Al-Saadi also emphasized that the Half Marathon is more than just a race. “We’re creating an event that’s not only about running but about making it a day for everyone. From support zones along the course to fun activities for families and spectators, this event is designed to be a celebration of sports and community.”   He concluded with an invitation to all: “Whether you’re an experienced runner or a first-timer, we encourage everyone to join us. This is your chance to be part of something truly special, and it’s a reflection of QOC’s commitment to making sports an essential part of daily life. Registration is open, and you can find all the details on our social media channels.”   By organizing the QOC Half Marathon, the Qatar Olympic Committee reaffirms its dedication to fostering an active and engaged society. This event highlights the transformative role of sports in uniting communities and driving sustainable development and growth.   

Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee and UAE Rugby Federation Sign Cooperation Agreement

Doha – The Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee (QRHC) announced today, January 19, 2025, the signing of a cooperation agreement with the UAE Rugby Federation at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between the two organizations in areas such as management, training, refereeing, and knowledge exchange. The agreement was signed by Mr. Youssef Jeham Al-Kuwari, President of the Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee, and Mr. Mohamed Sultan Al-Zaabi, Secretary-General of the UAE Rugby Federation, in the presence of officials from both sides. The partnership focuses on joint initiatives, including training camps, programs, and activities to advance rugby development in both countries. Mr. Youssef Jeham Al-Kuwari emphasized that the agreement aims to foster strong ties between the two federations, share administrative and technical expertise, and organize training courses and camps. He also highlighted its role in enhancing sports medicine for rugby, benefiting national teams across all age groups. Mr. Mohamed Sultan Al-Zaabi reiterated that the agreement supports collaboration in key areas, such as rugby competitions, refereeing courses, and friendly tournaments. It also aims to improve team performance to compete more effectively in Asian and international championships.”