Qatar to send 243 athletes to Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Doha: Qatar will participate in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 with a delegation of 243 athletes, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced on Saturday.The delegation comprises 184 men and 59 women, along with 142 members of the technical and administrative staff. Qatar will compete in 26 sports and 32 disciplines at the Games, which will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.The Qatari athletes will compete in athletics, football, basketball, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, squash, padel, taekwondo, judo, artistic gymnastics, golf, shooting, swimming, jiu-jitsu, esports, sailing, equestrian, karate, fencing, archery, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and table tennis.The QOC also announced the launch of the Mirqab platform, which will serve as a central hub for news, updates, information and services related to Qatar’s participation in the Games. It also revealed plans for ‘Qatar House’, a dedicated venue that will promote Qatari culture and provide a meeting point for delegations and the public throughout the Games. The Aichi-Nagoya Games will also serve as an important preparation for Qatar’s hosting of the Asian Games in Doha in 2030.Ahmed Yousef al-Darwish, head of Qatar’s administrative delegation, said preparations had been carried out thoroughly and began immediately after the conclusion of the previous edition in Hangzhou, China. “A large working group has been formed to follow up on all aspects of Qatar’s participation in coordination with the sports federations, with the aim of providing the best possible conditions for the athletes and delegations,” al-Darwish said.“Our main goal is to ensure that Qatar is represented in an honourable manner. With the conclusion of these Games, attention will turn to Doha, which will host the next edition in 2030. Therefore, Aichi-Nagoya is an important milestone not only from a sporting perspective but also in preparing for our own hosting.”The Aichi-Nagoya Games will feature 41 sports, 68 disciplines and 460 events across 53 competition venues and 75 training facilities. Al-Darwish highlighted the growing role of women in Qatari sport, noting that female athletes account for about 31 percent of the country’s participating athletes. He described the figure as a positive indicator of the continued development of women’s sport and their growing presence across different disciplines.Iman al-Emadi, deputy head of the administrative delegation, said the team had been working closely with all participating sports federations to complete logistical arrangements and ensure the athletes have the necessary facilities and equipment. She also stressed the importance of women’s participation and expressed hope that the Qatari female athletes would contribute to the medal tally and proudly represent the country.Abdulla Mohammed al-Marri, head of the media delegation, described the Games as a significant milestone and a final test for Qatar ahead of the 2030 Asian Games in Doha. He said the event would provide Qatari athletes with valuable opportunities to compete against Asia’s best and measure their progress while challenging for medals.Al-Marri said ‘Qatar House’ would open on September 19 and remain operational until the closing of the Games on October 4. The venue will showcase Qatar’s culture and achievements and provide a platform for interaction with visiting delegations and the public. It will also host celebrations honouring Qatari athletes who achieve notable results during the Games.Naji al-Amri, a member of the administrative delegation, said preparations had focused on ensuring the mission was fully equipped, including accommodation, transportation and other logistical requirements. “The objective is to create the right environment for the athletes so they can concentrate fully on their competitions, perform at their best and achieve the desired results,” he said. 

Iran Crowned Champions of FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship Doha 2026 Following France Win

Doha: Iran were crowned champions of the second edition of the FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship Doha 2026 after defeating France 3-1 in the final held today at the Ladies Sports Hall at Aspire Zone.Iran claimed the gold medal, while France finished runners-up with the silver medal and Brazil took bronze. Iran imposed their rhythm on the match and secured the title with a 3-1 victory (25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-12), completing the tournament unbeaten and confirming their dominance from the opening stages through to the final.Iran began their campaign by topping Group E with a perfect record before continuing their run through the knockout stages. They defeated Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the round of 16, overcame Pakistan 3-2 in a hard-fought quarterfinal and then booked their place in the final with a straight-sets victory over Argentina in the semifinals.France, meanwhile, established themselves as strong contenders from the group stage, topping Group A with a perfect record following victories over Tunisia, Qatar and Venezuela. They continued their successful campaign by defeating Spain in the round of 16 and Romania in the quarterfinals before securing a place in the final with a 3-1 comeback victory over Brazil in the semifinals.The final was attended by HE First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, HE President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani, President of the Qatar and West Asia Volleyball Associations Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari, HE Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, and President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Fabio Azevedo.Following the final whistle, an awards ceremony was held for the top three teams. Qatar beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, bronze medalists at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, presented Iran with the gold medals and the championship trophy, while France received the silver medals and the runners-up shield.Brazil had secured third place and the bronze medal after defeating Argentina in straight sets in the third-place playoff, winning 25-17, 25-18 and 25-13. Polish star Jakub Kochanowski presented the Brazilian team with their medals.President of the Qatar and West Asia Volleyball Associations Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari praised the high technical standard of the World Championship, saying the competitionreflected the significant development of the sport at youth level, with the participating teams producing strong performances and highly competitive and exciting matches.Al Kuwari expressed his appreciation to HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his continued support for sport and volleyball. He said this support provided an incentive for the federation to continue developing the sport, hosting international competitions and strengthening Qatar's presence on the global sporting stage.Al Kuwari congratulated France and Iran on reaching the final and also congratulated Brazil on securing third place and the bronze medal.He said the presence of the FIVB President and his attendance at the tournament reflected the importance of the championship and the confidence placed in Qatar to host and organize international sporting events. He noted that staging the second edition in Doha was particularly significant as it marked the first time the championship had been hosted in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, following the inaugural edition in Bulgaria in 2024.Al Kuwari also praised the attendance throughout the tournament, saying the fans' engagement and presence in the stands added significantly to the competition, created a special atmosphere for the players and reflected the strong interest in volleyball in Qatar.He noted that the tournament provided an important opportunity for the participating players and teams to gain experience and compete at the highest level, while also showcasing a new generation of talent capable of shaping the future of the sport. He also praised the standard demonstrated by all the teams throughout the competition.Al Kuwari added that Qatar had fielded players younger than the tournament's age category as part of an approach aimed at giving them early exposure to different international schools of volleyball and helping them gain international experience. He said the primary objective of Qatar's participation was to develop a generation capable of representing Qatari volleyball more effectively in future competitions.For his part, HE First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana said the conclusion of the World Championship reflected the significance and stature of the event, noting that the tournament had featured high-quality performances and intense competition among the participating teams through to the final.Al Mana said the tournament's successful conclusion, together with the strong attendance and official and international interest it attracted, demonstrated Doha's extensive experience in hosting world championships. He noted that this expertise extended beyondproviding venues and facilities to managing the details associated with such events and creating an appropriate environment for athletes, delegations and officials.He praised the Qatar Volleyball Association for its preparations and management of the tournament and commended the work carried out by the various committees throughout the competition. He said the successful organization of any world championship was the result of integrated cooperation between the federation, the organizing committee and all supporting entities, something that had been clearly evident throughout the tournament.Al Mana added that the Qatar Volleyball Association had carried out extensive work and that the outcome witnessed at the conclusion of the championship demonstrated the scale of the effort made by national personnel. He noted that such tournaments required early preparation and continuous coordination and described the experience as successful by every measure.Al Mana affirmed that the Qatar Olympic Committee would continue supporting national sports federations, both in developing national teams and hosting international competitions, as such events provide valuable opportunities for Qatari personnel and allow local athletes to compete alongside and gain experience against the world's best.He noted that youth championships were particularly important because they were not solely about competing for titles, but also about identifying talent and preparing players for the future. He added that seeing this group of young players compete at the international level provides the sport with a broader foundation for future development and growth.

Qatar Golf Team Hold Training Camp in Morocco

Doha – The Qatar Golf Association has announced that the national senior team are holding a training camp in Rabat, Morocco, through the end of August as part of their preparations for upcoming competitions, foremost among them the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan in September.The camp aims to enhance the players’ technical and physical readiness through an intensive training programme at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam courses, one of the region’s leading golf venues, providing ideal conditions for the team’s preparations.The squad comprises Saleh Al Kaabi, Ali Al Shahrani, Abdulaziz Al Shahrani and Abdulrahman Al Shahrani. The coaching staff are seeking to make the most of the camp and ensure the players reach the highest possible level of readiness ahead of their upcoming competitions.The camp forms part of the Qatar Golf Association’s comprehensive plan to prepare the national senior team for a busy schedule of upcoming regional and continental competitions. The programme aims to further develop the players’ performances and strengthen Qatar’s presence in regional and Asian golf competitions.The Qatar Golf Association are looking to ensure that the current preparation period provides maximum technical and physical benefit and helps the national team reach peak readiness ahead of their participation in the Asian Games. 

Qatar U-19 Handball Team Advance to Asian Championship Final

Amman:  Qatar’s U-19 handball team advanced to the final of the Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship, currently being held in Jordan, after defeating South Korea 32-28 in the semifinals on Saturday.Qatar will face the winners of the other semifinal between Bahrain and Iran in the final, scheduled to take place on Monday.The Qatari side have maintained their unbeaten run throughout the championship, having finished the group stage with a perfect eight points following four consecutive victories. Qatar defeated Saudi Arabia 30-22, Kuwait 30-19, Iran 24-22 and Syria 42-29 to finish top of Group B.In the quarterfinals, Qatar produced a commanding performance to defeat tournament hosts Jordan 33-13 before overcoming South Korea in the semifinals to secure their place in the title match.Qatar have also secured qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, marking the seventh time in their history that they have qualified for the global tournament. 

Qatar Qualify for 2027 U19 World Handball Championship

Amman: Qatar have qualified for the 2027 U19 World Handball Championship after reaching the semifinals of the Asian Men's U19 Handball Championship currently being held in Jordan, following a 33-13 quarterfinal victory over the hosts Jordan on Friday.Qatar dominated from the outset, taking a commanding 16-4 lead into halftime before maintaining their superiority in the second half, extending their advantage and securing their place in the semifinals.Qatar will face South Korea in the semifinals tomorrow (Saturday). South Korea secured their place in the last four after defeating Kuwait 36-28 in their quarterfinal.Qatar had earlier recorded a perfect run in Group B, finishing with eight points after victories over Saudi Arabia (30-22), Kuwait (30-19), Iran (24-22) and Syria (42-29).Qatar will now look to continue their successful campaign by reaching the final and challenging for the title.

Abderrahman Samba Sets Season Best at Zurich Diamond League

Zurich (QNA) – Team Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba recorded his best time of the 2026 season in the men’s 400m hurdles at the Zurich Diamond League meeting on Saturday, the 14th of 15 stops on this year’s Diamond League athletics circuit.Samba finished fifth in a highly competitive race featuring some of the world’s leading hurdlers, clocking a season-best time of 47.77 seconds.The Qatari hurdler produced a strong performance but faced fierce competition in a race that saw Brazil’s Alison dos Santos claim victory in a record-breaking time of 45.80 seconds, surpassing the previous mark of 45.94 seconds set by Norway’s Karsten Warholm in 2021.Warholm finished second in 46.69 seconds, while Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel took third place in 47.50 seconds.