Team Qatar get better of Argentina in preparation for Men’s Handball World Championship

DOHA - The Qatari handball team beat Argentina, 30/27 in the second friendly match held Monday as part of their preparations for the 29th Men's Handball World Championship scheduled between Jan. 14 to Feb. 2, 2025 in Croatia, Denmark and Norway. In an earlier friendly match held last Saturday, Qatar beat Argentina 30/25. Team Qatar will play a third friendly match against Bahrain next Thursday, before leaving for Slovenia on January 4 to attend a final camp that includes playing two friendly matches against Slovenia and Algeria on January 7 and 9 respectively. The team will then head to Croatia to participate in the World Championship. The Qatari team, drawn in Group 3 alongside France, Austria and Kuwait, will begin their campaign in the World Cup by facing France on the opening day, Jan. 14, then play its second match against Austria on the 16th of the same month, before concluding its group stage matches against Kuwait on Jan. 18. The 32 teams participating in the tournament were divided into eight groups, with Group 1 including Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland; Group 2 including Denmark, Italy, Algeria and Tunisia; Group 3 including Qatar, France, Austria and Kuwait; Group 4 including Hungary, Netherlands, North Macedonia and Guinea; Group 5 including Norway, Portugal, Brazil and America; Group 6 including Sweden, Spain, Japan and Chile; Group 7 including Slovenia, Iceland, Cuba and Cape Verde; and Group 8 including Egypt, Croatia, Argentina and Bahrain.  

Fares bags six golds at Qatar International Cup & Arab Weightlifting Championship

DOHA - Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim secured six gold medals in the 2024 Qatar International Cup and the Arab Weightlifting Championship, organised simultaneously by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation The events featured 163 participants — 98 men and 65 women — from 29 countries. Tokyo Olympic champion Fares displayed outstanding skills on the final day of both competitions, excelling in the men’s 102 kg weight category. He outperformed several top-tier Arab and international weightlifters. In the Qatar International Cup, Fares clinched three gold medals in the men’s 102 kg weight category, securing victory in the clean and jerk (200 kg), the snatch (166 kg) and the combined total (366 kg). Albania’s Artan Kovas earned two silver medals for his total of 358 kg and a 165 kg snatch, along with a bronze medal for a 193 kg clean and jerk. Saudi’s Ali Yousef Al Othman took silver in the clean and jerk (197 kg) and two bronze medals for a 338 kg total and a 141 kg snatch. In the men’s 89 kg weight category, Oman’s Amer Al Khanjari dominated, winning three gold medals with a total lift of 340 kg, comprising a 190 kg clean and jerk and a 150 kg snatch. Algeria’s Mansour Mohamed El Amin took two silver medals for his 317 kg total and a 140 kg snatch, along with bronze for a 177 kg clean and jerk. Saudi lifter Hussein Ali secured silver in the clean and jerk (177 kg) and two bronze medals for a 315 kg total and a 138 kg snatch. In the men’s over 102 kg category, Iraq’sAli Al Ammar won three gold medals, lifting a total of 400 kg, with a 220 kg clean and jerk and a 180 kg snatch. South Korea’s Lee Seung-hoon claimed silver with a 387 kg total, a 213 kg clean and jerk, and a 174 kg snatch. The UAE’s Mohammed Muayyad Al Najjar earned three bronze medals with a 385 kg total, a 212 kg clean and jerk, and a 173 kg snatch. In the Arab Championship, Fares maintained his dominance in the men’s 102 kg category, replicating his three gold-medal performance with identical lifts (200 kg clean and jerk, 166 kg snatch, 366 kg total). Amer Al Khanjari continued his winning streak in the men’s 89 kg competition, taking home three golds. Algeria’s Mansour Mohamed El Amin also impressed in the youth division, earning two golds (317 kg total, 140 kg snatch) and a silver for a 177 kg clean and jerk. In the men’s 96 kg category, Saudi weightlifter Ali Yousef Al Othman triumphed with three gold medals for a 338 kg total, a 197 kg clean and jerk, and a 141 kg snatch. Saudi Arabia’s Bader Al Eid claimed gold across the youth and junior divisions in the men’s 89 kg category, with identical totals of 260 kg (150 kg clean and jerk, 110 kg snatch). In the over 102 kg youth division, Saudi’s Abdullah Ali dominated with three gold medals, lifting a total of 250 kg (130 kg clean and jerk, 120 kg snatch). Meanwhile, Saudi’s Dali Mutab Al Rayhan shone in the men’s 109 kg youth category, securing three golds with a total of 291 kg (155 kg clean and jerk, 136 kg snatch). Iraq’s Ali Al Ammar continued his gold streak in the over 109 kg men’s division, lifting an identical total of 400 kg, with a 220 kg clean and jerk and a 180 kg snatch, matching his performance in the youth category.  

Qatar Olympic Academy announces 2025 Courses and Programs

DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Academy revealed its impressive agenda for 2025 on Sunday, featuring more than sixteen diverse programs and courses.  These programs are designed for sports professionals and fans of Olympic culture, aiming to engage a wide audience and support the academy’s mission to promote sports and Olympic values. The agenda includes postgraduate programs, educational workshops, and specialized courses in various sports and management fields.  Some of these courses are internationally accredited by top global sports organizations, strengthening the academy’s reputation as a leading center for developing sports skills and knowledge. By offering a wide range of programs every year, the Qatar Olympic Academy ensures it meets the needs of a diverse audience, both in Qatar and internationally. This approach reflects the academy’s goal of spreading sports culture to all parts of society. The academy’s 2025 activities will begin with a course on media interaction skills on January 19. This essential course is tailored for athletes and sports officials, providing practical training on handling media interviews and understanding journalistic questions effectively.  

Saudi weightlifters shine at Qatar Cup and Arab Championship

Doha: The Saudi national weightlifting team delivered an outstanding performance at the Qatar International Cup and the Arab Weightlifting Championship for men and women, held concurrently by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation. The competitions, which conclude tomorrow, feature 163 participants—98 men and 65 women—representing 29 countries. Saudi weightlifters achieved notable success in the Arab Championships. Jala Al-Ghamdi excelled in the over 81kg junior category, winning three gold medals: one in total weight (143kg), one in the clean and jerk (80kg), and one in the snatch (63kg). She repeated her feat in the 87kg youth category, claiming another three gold medals with identical figures. In the women’s 87kg category, Zainab Mahmoud dominated with three gold medals in total weight (186kg), the clean and jerk (113kg), and the snatch (73kg). In the men’s 81kg category, Mahmoud Al-Humaid clinched three gold medals, lifting a total of 310kg, with 170kg in the clean and jerk and 140kg in the snatch. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Zouri secured three gold medals in the 81kg youth category, lifting 290kg in total, 160kg in the clean and jerk, and 130kg in the snatch. Algerian lifter Amina Yahia Mahmoud claimed three gold medals in the over 87kg women’s category, lifting a total of 193kg, with 106kg in the clean and jerk and 87kg in the snatch. She repeated this achievement in the junior category with identical results. In the Qatar International Cup, Indonesian lifter Ardraya triumphed in the 73kg category with three gold medals: one for a total of 300kg, another for 171kg in the clean and jerk, and a third for 129kg in the snatch. Saudi lifter Siraj Abdulrahman Al-Salim earned three silver medals in this category, lifting a total of 287kg, with 159kg in the clean and jerk and 128kg in the snatch. Omani lifter Elias Al-Busaidi rounded out the podium with three bronze medals, lifting 278kg in total, 158kg in the clean and jerk, and 120kg in the snatch. Qatar’s rising star Abdullah Ali Diab made his debut with the national team, finishing eighth after lifting 85kg in the snatch, 100kg in the clean and jerk, and 185kg in total. In the over 81kg women’s category, South Korean lifter Kim Hyun swept the competition, claiming three gold medals with a total of 263kg, 150kg in the clean and jerk, and 113kg in the snatch. Algerian lifter Amina Yahia Mahmoud earned two gold medals in total weight (193kg) and the snatch (87kg), along with a bronze in the clean and jerk (106kg). Saudi lifter Zainab Mahmoud secured a silver in the clean and jerk (113kg) and two bronze medals in total weight (186kg) and the snatch (73kg). Qatar’s Olympic champion Fares Ibrahim is set to compete tomorrow in the 102kg men’s category, alongside teammate Fares Jaber. Mohammed Mahmoud will also represent Qatar in the over 102kg, 109kg, and over 109kg categories. Ibrahim Hassouna, the national team’s head coach, expressed confidence in Fares Ibrahim’s readiness for the competition, describing it as a vital test following his recovery from a shoulder injury. Hassouna highlighted the team’s preparation since their return from the World Cup in Bahrain, emphasizing Fares’ determination to secure three gold medals and demonstrate his full recovery.

Team Qatar defeat Argentina in friendly ahead of 2025 World Handball Championship

Doha: Team Qatar secured an impressive 30-25 victory over Argentina in a friendly match held today at Al Duhail Arena, as part of their preparations for the 29th Men's World Handball Championship, scheduled to take place in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway from January 14 to February 2, 2025. The friendly match showcased Qatar’s readiness as they gear up for the global competition. The two teams are set to face each other again in a second friendly on Monday, also in Doha. As part of their preparation, the national team recently concluded an intensive 10-day training camp in Serbia, focusing on refining their strategies and boosting team cohesion. Qatar will compete in Group C of the championship, facing strong contenders including France, Austria, and Kuwait. They will open their campaign against France on January 14, followed by a clash with Austria on January 16, and wrap up the group stage against Kuwait on January 18. This tournament marks Qatar's tenth appearance in the championship, with previous participations 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 most remarkable achievement in the tournament came in 2015 when the team made history by finishing as runners-up on home soil. The upcoming championship offers Team Qatar another opportunity to shine on the global stage, building on their legacy and aiming for success.  

Executive Board of Arab Weightlifting Federation convenes in Doha

Doha: The Executive Board of the Arab Weightlifting Federation held a meeting in Doha today on the sidelines of the Arab Men's and Women's Weightlifting Championships, hosted by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation and set to conclude on Monday. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatari, Arab, and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations. It was attended by prominent officials and heads of Arab federations, including Mohammed Hassan Jaloud Al Shammari, President of the International Weightlifting Federation; Talal Rashid Al Jassar, President of the Kuwaiti Weightlifting Federation; Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation; Hassanein Al Sheikh, President of the Syrian Weightlifting Federation; Faisal Yousef Al Hammadi, representing the UAE Weightlifting Federation; Abdul Moneim Riad, representing the Libyan Weightlifting Federation; and Jassim Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Qatari Weightlifting Federation. The meeting focused on reviewing the Federation's activity plan for the coming year and strategies to advance weightlifting in the Arab world. In a unanimous decision, the board appointed Talal Rashid Al Jassar as Assistant President of the Arab Weightlifting Federation. Discussions also covered key issues aimed at enhancing the development of the sport in the region. The members expressed their unanimous support for the re-nomination of Mohammed Hassan Jaloud for a second term as President of the International Weightlifting Federation. They also endorsed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the International Weightlifting Federation's electoral conference in May 2025. His Excellency Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana reiterated his commitment to supporting Arab candidates in the upcoming elections for the International Federation's presidency, Executive Office, and sub-committees. In his address, Al Mana emphasized the importance of collaboration to strengthen weightlifting at both the Arab and international levels, highlighting the critical role of increased Arab representation in international organizations to drive the sport's development in the region. For his part, International Federation President Mohammed Hassan Jaloud commended Qatar's ongoing support for member states and its efforts to facilitate participation for countries such as the Comoros, Maldives, Swaziland, and Macau in the Qatar International Cup. He also praised Qatar for hosting the Asian Junior and Youth Championships, which recorded unprecedented participation. The meeting concluded with His Excellency Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana honoring the Executive Board members for their contributions to advancing weightlifting at the Arab and global levels. Al Mana reaffirmed his dedication to continuing efforts to elevate the sport's status on the international stage.