QSSA to organize School Olympic Program Race

Doha: The Qatar School Sports Association (QSSA) announced that it will  organize  the 2nd edition of School Olympic Program Race marking the National Sport Day on Tuesday at Lusail Boulevard with the participation of over 3000 students. Addressing a press conference at the premises of the Qatar Olympic Committee, President of QSSA and Chairman of the Schools Olympic Program (SOP) Organizing Committee Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani stated that the number of participants in the second edition is different this time, noting the evident surge in the number of participants compared to the previous edition. His Excellency revealed that the contests of the second edition observe a variety of age groups, highlighting that the competition will be stellar for all contenders. He added that the one km race will be the launching pad with the participation of primary school students followed by a 2 km race for middle school students, as well as a 3 km race for secondary school students, implying that the  programme can absorb the capabilities of all participating students. In conclusion, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani emphasized that the previous edition has achieved good results and multiple gains throughout the stages of all contests with an effective student participation, pointing out that the organizing committee is committed to propagating the culture of sport in the community on the Sports Day through the engagement of schools in these activities to further explore sports talents and hone them as one of the key pillars and objectives of the programme in the future.

On the Sidelines of the World Aquatics Championships: Sheikh Joaan Meets with Sports Officials

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, met today with Dr. Kirsty Coventry, Executive Board Member of the International Olympic Committee and Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Mr. Alejandro Blanco Bravo, President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, separately, on the sidelines of the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024, currently taking place in Doha. The meetings reviewed aspects of sports cooperation and ways to support them in the coming period.  

Dominant China take titles in artistic swimming and diving

Doha: China finished a dominant first week at the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024 with more titles in artistic swimming and diving Saturday to top the medal table with 16 golds out of 29 at the Hamad Aquatic Centre on Saturday. Cheng Wentao and Shi Haoyu retained their world title in the artistic mixed duet free event and Yang Hao won the 10-meter platform diving for a sixth career gold at worlds. Australia took the other gold on offer Saturday as storied diver Maddison Keeney paired with Domonic Bedggood to win the mixed 3-meter synchronized springboard - a rare event in which China did not compete. Ahead of swimming events starting Sunday, Australia’s three golds so far is best of the rest of the world behind the Chinese wave of success in Doha. Cheng and Shi had taken silver in the mixed duet technical event last weekend, and improved on that in Aspire Dome arena performing a routine on the theme of “Romeo and Juliet.” “Winning the gold medal at the World Championship on the Chinese New Year is indeed a great feeling,” Cheng said. Their score of 224.1437 points was more than 15 points ahead of silver medalists Mireia Hernandez and Dennis Gonzalez of Spain. Bronze went to Mexico’s Trinidad Meza and Diego Villalobos.  

Qatar defeat Jordan to retain title

Doha: Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties as Qatar won their second consecutive AFC Asian Cup™ title after defeating Jordan 3-1 in the Qatar 2023™ final at a packed Lusail Stadium on Saturday. Though Yazan Al Naimat’s equaliser gave first time finalists Jordan a flicker of hope, Afif’s coolness and Qatar’s overall superiority saw them defending the title they won in emphatic fashion in 2019 comfortably.  Afif’s hat-trick, the first of the tournament, took his tally to eight as he won the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Yili Top Scorer Award.  Ahead of the kick-off, Iraq legend and former captain Younis Mahmoud unveiled the AFC Asian Cup trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the Lusail Stadium, warming the fans up nicely for the final. Qatar settled the faster with Afif almost catching Jordan napping in the fifth minute when he waltzed through the defence but goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila was quick off his line to thwart the danger. Afif had another crack at goal two minutes later when Lucas Mendes did well on the right flank before sending his cross into the six-yard-box but the Al Sadd forward fired a low drive straight into the arms of Abulaila. Qatar continued to pressure the Jordanian defence with Hasan Al Hydos threading a delightful through ball to Almoez Ali, who was stopped in his tracks by an alert Mahmoud Al Mardi. Limited to just counter-attacks, Jordan’s Nizar Al Rashdan whipped a long ball for Ali Olwan, with the forward setting up Yazan Al Naimat, who forced goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham to parry his powerful drive from above the box. Jordan struggled to match Qatar’s intensity and paid the price in the 22nd minute following Abdallah Nasib’s clumsy challenge on Afif, who coolly slotted home the ensuing penalty to take his tournament tally to six which also confirmed him as the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Yili Top Scorer. Jordan, having had to play second fiddle for the majority of the half, could have equalised just before the break but Mousa Tamari saw his effort from inside the box blocked by Mohammed Waad, with the Montpellier forward then failing to find the target from close range, sending Olwan’s cross over the bar. That, however, was a prelude to what was to come from Jordan in the second half as they took the game to Qatar. Barsham, who had a quiet game in the opening period, had to be on his toes with Olwan threatening in the 56th minute with an acrobatic effort before the shot stopper denied Ehsan Haddad three minutes later from close range. Jordan poured bodies forward and came close again in the 61st minute when Al Tamari was denied by the post with Al Rawabdeh hitting the side netting on the rebound, but their persistence was finally rewarded in the 67th minute.   An unmarked Al Naimat showed excellent ball control inside the six-yard-box when he collected Haddad’s cross from the right flank before riffling his effort into the bottom corner. The increased tempo paid dividends in the 73rd minute when Qatar were awarded a second penalty following Mahmoud Al Mardi’s foul on Ismaeel Mohammad, with Afif again making no mistake from the spot to restore Qatar’s lead.  There was no respite for Jordan as they conceded their third penalty after goalkeeper Abulaila was judged to brought down Afif after a VAR review, with the forward stepping up once more to convert from the spot to complete his hat-trick in the fifth minute of added time and hand Qatar their second AFC Asian Cup title.  

HH the Amir attends closing of AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Doha, February 10 (QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the closing ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 at Lusail Stadium on Saturday. The ceremony was attended by HH the Personal Representative of the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, and a lineup of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers. Also present at the ceremony were HE President of the friendly Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame, HRH Crown Prince of the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, HE President of the FIFA Gianni Infantino, HE President of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and a number of senior officials from the fraternal and friendly countries along with Heads of delegations, Heads of Olympic Committees and Arab and foreign football federations, Their Excellencies heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the state, and a huge crowd of spectators. Afterwards, HH the Amir crowned Qatar national football team with AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 trophy following their 3-1 victory over the brotherly team of Jordan. HH the Amir, the FIFA President, HRH the Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and HE the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President awarded the golden medals to the Qatar national team players and the silver medals to the national team players of Jordan, the runner-up. (QNA)  

Hosts, Qatar to take on Jordan in All-Arab Asian Cup Final

DOHA - Qatar will face Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 final on Saturday at the Lusail Stadium. Qatar booked their spot following a superb 3-2 against Iran in their sei-final on Wednesday, the AFC website reported. Qatar will face Jordan, who advanced to the final on Tuesday, having defeated Korea Republic 2-0 in their last four tie. Qatar will be seeking a second successive title, having emerged champions in spectacular fashion in the 2019 edition. Jordan are aiming to become AFC Asian Cup champions for the first time. The Qatari team showed tremendous grit to come from behind to defeat Iran and will be aiming to be the first team since Japan to win back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles. Jordan, meanwhile, will be appearing in their first AFC Asian Cup final, having never advanced past the quarter-finals in their previous four appearances at the continental showpiece. Head coach Hussein Ammouta's side, however, have been a revelation in Qatar 2023, growing stronger with every match and will be determined to end their sparkling campaign by lifting the coveted trophy.