Team Qatar qualify for Men's Youth Beach Handball World Championship

Bangkok: Team Qatar secured a spot in the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth Beach Handball World Championship in Tunisia with a strong 2-0 victory over Indonesia on Friday at the close of the third Asian Junior (U-17) Beach Handball Championship. Held in Bangkok, the tournament featured seven teams: Qatar, Oman, Iran, Jordan, China, Indonesia, and hosts Thailand. Qatar led the first half with a score of 30-18 and clinched the second half with 23-12.  This win earned Qatar 6 points, placing them third behind Iran (champions) and Thailand (runner-up) and securing qualification for the World Junior Beach Handball Championship, to be held in Hammamet, Tunisia, from June 17-22, 2025. This marks Qatar’s second consecutive qualification, having also placed third at the 2022 World Championship in Greece after the Asian Championship in Tehran. Throughout the tournament, Qatar won against China and Oman, despite early setbacks against Jordan, Thailand, and Iran. Thailand claimed the title in the inaugural Asian Junior Championship in 2016, while Iran took the title in 2022.

Ali Al-Hitmi Re-Elected as First Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation at its 85th Congress in Doha

Doha : Mr. Ali Al-Hitmi has been re-elected as First Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) during the 85th FIG Congress, which concluded today in Doha. Representatives from 157 member federations attended the event, which also saw the re-election of Mr. Morinari Watanabe of Japan as FIG President. In a statement, Mr. Al-Hitmi expressed pride in the successful organization of the Congress, crediting its success to the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) under the leadership of QOC President, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, and QOC Secretary General, His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain. He noted, “This achievement is thanks to Qatar’s commitment to supporting gymnastics at the highest levels and ensuring that international events held in Doha meet and exceed global standards.” Mr. Al-Hitmi emphasized the significance of his re-election, stating, "This Congress reflects the international gymnastics community's commitment to progress, and I am honored to continue serving as First Vice President. The collaborative efforts here will shape the future of our sport globally." With a record-breaking turnout, this Congress marked the highest participation level in FIG’s history. Al-Hitmi commented on the importance of this milestone, saying, "Such an exceptional level of engagement from FIG members demonstrates our unity and shared vision for the sport's development. I look forward to continuing our work together to advance gymnastics across all disciplines." Re-elected FIG President Mr. Morinari Watanabe praised the organization and impact of the Congress, noting that the professionalism and hospitality displayed in Doha set a high standard for future FIG events. He emphasized that the mission to grow gymnastics globally has been strengthened by the active participation and engagement of the FIG community throughout the Congress. Reflecting on the Congress, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Head of QOC Media Relations, highlighted Mr. Al-Hitmi’s influence within the international gymnastics community. "The re-election of Mr. Al-Hitmi as First Vice President of FIG is a recognition of his outstanding contributions to gymnastics, not only in Qatar but on the global stage. We congratulate both Mr. Al-Hitmi and Mr. Watanabe on their re-election and look forward to their continued leadership in advancing the sport. This Congress has been a pivotal moment for gymnastics, and we are proud to see Qatar play a central role in shaping its future."

Team Qatar beat Nepal in U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Doha: Qatar impressed again in a 5-0 defeat of Nepal in their AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group F match at the Aspire on Friday.   After the hard-fought 2-0 against Mongolia on Wednesday, Qatar looked a more confident side against Nepal with captain Zaid Faisal (top left) netting for the second straight game.  Yazan Mohamed opened the scoring for Qatar after 21 minutes of play but it was Faisal who stole the show again with a hat-trick in the 45th, 56th and 82nd minute.  In between, Omar al-Marzouqi also found the back of the net to help Qatar to move onto six points with a vital clash against Japan to come tomorrow while Nepal close out their campaign against Mongolia. 

International Gymnastics Federation Congress Kicks Off in Doha

Doha: The 85th Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) officially began on Thursday in Doha, welcoming over 500 delegates from 157 countries. The three-day event gathers representatives from national gymnastics federations across the globe. The opening session was attended by His Excellency Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and FIG President Morinari Watanabe. Ali Al-Hitmi, First Vice President of FIG and President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, expressed his pride in the record-breaking participation at this year’s Congress, underscoring the significance of Qatar’s role in the international sports community. Al-Hitmi highlighted Qatar’s key contributions to the growth of gymnastics globally and expressed his gratitude to the Qatar Olympic Committee for its support in making the event a success. Sara Khalid Nasser Al-Mesnad, Assistant Director of International Cooperation and Communication at the Qatar Olympic Committee, also welcomed the delegates. “Over the years, Qatar has built a reputation as a global sporting hub – not only because of the events we host, but because of the people who make it all possible, such as Mr. Ali Al-Hitmi,” Al-Mesnad said. “As a founding member and current President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, Mr. Al-Hitmi has devoted his career to advancing gymnastics in Qatar, the region, and beyond. His leadership has fostered an environment where athletes can thrive.” “This Congress arrives at a pivotal moment for gymnastics. The decisions made here will shape the sport’s future for many years to come. Qatar is committed to supporting that future, not just through hosting events, but through the dedication of our leaders and administrators who continuously contribute to gymnastics’ global development.” FIG President Morinari Watanabe commended Qatar for hosting the 85th Congress and acknowledged Doha’s integral role in promoting gymnastics on the world stage. He highlighted Qatar’s enduring support for the sport through its collaboration with FIG, including the annual hosting of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup at Aspire Dome. Watanabe also praised Doha’s standing as a premier global sports capital. On October 25, delegates will vote to elect FIG’s new governing bodies, including the President, three Vice-Presidents, seven Executive Committee members, and 21 Council members, with quotas for continental representation. Additionally, elections will be held for the President and six members of the Gymnastics for All Committee, as well as for the Presidents and six members of the Technical Committees for each of FIG’s seven disciplines. Notably, Parkour will have its own Technical Committee for the first time. Two auditors will also be elected. The Congress will welcome five new national gymnastics federations: Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), Cote d’Ivoire (CIV), Guinea (GUI), Kenya (KEN), and Zambia (ZAM). Upon approval, this will bring the total number of FIG-affiliated federations to 164. Delegates will also hear reports from the independent Gymnastics Ethics Foundation and the FIG Foundation for Solidarity, along with updates on safeguarding measures, the ASOIF Good Governance report, and insights from the new National Federation-Insights project, which aims to strengthen understanding of FIG’s global membership. Furthermore, proposed amendments to the FIG Statutes include the introduction of Paragymnastics as a new competitive discipline within FIG.  

Match schedule for IHF Beach Handball Global Tour finals released

Doha: The match schedule for the third and final stage of the 2024 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour has been released with some big matchups taking place at the season finale. Stage 3 – the final stage – will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 6 to 7 November and includes four men’s and four women’s national teams from six countries playing a total of 16 games (eight each in the men’s and women’s competitions). Teams in each competition will battle it out to be crowned the ‘2024 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour Champions’, with Brazil and Germany fielding teams in both the men’s and women’s events, joined by Qatar and Croatia in the men’s competition and Portugal and Spain in the women’s competition. Three continents will be showcased in Qatar, with South America, Europe and Asia all represented at the Al-Gharafa Beach Venue, one of the venues which hosted beach handball at the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games and which also hosted the 2023 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour: Finals exactly a year previously, won by Qatar (men) and Brazil (women). Both 2023 champions return to defend their titles against those teams who qualified either as winners of 2024 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour stages, as the host nation or as current IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championship title-holders. Portugal replaced Qatar in the women’s competition, as the hosts do not currently have a women’s team. The first three sessions of the four-session event next month will see the four teams in each competition play each other once, in the afternoon and evening on Wednesday 6 November and afternoon on Thursday 7 November. After the preliminary stage, the top two teams in each group will play-off directly in the final for the gold medal, and title, while the third and fourth-placed teams will do battle for bronze. The evening session on Thursday will feature the medal matches, with the men’s bronze-medal match taking place at 19:45 and final at 21:15, while the women’s bronze-medal match will be played at 19:00 and final at 20:30.  

Qatar to face Nepal in AFC U-17 Qualifier

Doha: The Qatari U-17 football team will face Nepal on Friday, at Aspire Academy 7 Stadium, in the second round of Group F in the 2025 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, which will qualify for the finals scheduled in Saudi Arabia from Apr. 3 to 20. The Qatari team hope to continue their victories in the group competitions in order to enhance their chances of advancing and qualifying for the 12th continental finals. The Qatari team started the qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over the Mongolian team last Wednesday, thanks to a brace by team captain Zaid Faisal.