Qatar Goalball Team hold Saudi Arabia to draw in West Asian Para Games

Sharjah: Qatar goalball team began their campaign at the 4th West Asian Para Games with a 8-8 draw with Saudi Arabia on Monday.  The 4th edition of the Games is held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates until February 03 with participation of 513 athletes from 12 countries including Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Yemen and hosts UAE.  Team Qatar will play another two games on Tuesday where they will take on UAE and Jordan.  Team Qatar squad:  Mohammed Hamam Al Hamad, Ikrami Ahmed, Basheer Al Kahlout, Abdulhadi Al Marri, Abbad Al Shamali and Nouradin Ahraf. 

Fencing Grand Prix Epee Championship Qatar 2024 kicks off

DOHA -  The competitions of Fencing Grand Prix Epee Championship 2024   for men and women got underway on a  high note on  Monday  and  will run from 29 to 31 January, 2024 at lusail Sport Arena on Monday. The three- day tournament brings together 500 fencers, representing 60 countries, among them 11 Arab countries, Qatar, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Lebanon. The event’s  preliminary stage  on Monday   was strong and competitive, the  winners of all groups have progressed  to the 128th and 64th stages. Fencers will keep competing in 64th stage , followed by last 32. Fencing Grand Prix Epee Championship Qatar 2024, one of the most significant world tournaments annually hosted by the Qatar Fencing Federation and  attracts top seeded fencers who fight tooth and nail to collect points that can help them improve their world ranking.  

Team Qatar to take on Palestine in Round of 16

Doha: Qatar will be expected to advance when they play Palestine in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 on Monday. The defending champions have shown good form but Palestine will be determined to continue their excellent run after sealing knockout stage qualification for the first time.  Qatar are undefeated in their 10 previous matches against Palestine (W8 D2), keeping a clean sheet in each of their last five encounters. This will, however, be the first meeting between the two at the AFC Asian Cup.   Qatar have won their last 10 AFC Asian Cup matches, the second-longest winning streak in tournament history (Islamic Republic of Iran – W13 from 1968 to 1976); though, they had never won a knockout game at the tournament prior to the 2019 edition when they clinched the trophy. Palestine have scored at least one goal in each of their three games at Qatar 2023 after finding the back of the net in only one of their previous six games at the tournament.   Palestine's Mus’ab Al Battat made more open play crosses (20) and more tackles (18) than any other player throughout the Qatar 2023 group stage.  

Stage set for Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2024

Doha: Organisers of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters have confirmed that the 27th Edition of the popular DP World Tour golf event will be held at the picturesque Doha Golf Club from Feb 8-11. The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is an annual golf tournament on the DP World Tour Calendar where many of the world’s top golfers compete. The highly anticipated event which will be announced at a press conference scheduled to be held at The Qatar Golf Association premises, at 11:00am, Tuesday the 6th of February is organised by The Qatar Golf Association (QGA), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Doha Golf Club and long-term Title Sponsor, Commercial Bank. The tournament is considered Qatar’s annual ‘must-attend’ sporting and social event, first held in 1998 and widely known for bringing together the world’s best golf talent; the likes of Rory Mcllroy, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Branden Grace and Henrik Stenson have all competed in previous years. The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was attended by over 20,000 spectators in previous years and broadcast to a global TV audience of over 500 million households. For the 27th Edition of the event, all eyes will be on Doha as the biggest names in the sport will compete for the Mother of Pearl Trophy on one of the most challenging courses on The Tour, the Doha Golf Club. In pursuit of a strategic vision, a decision of paramount importance has been taken: the rescheduling of the Qatar Masters to conclude the season on the DP World Tour. This deliberate and calculated manoeuvre is anticipated to yield an unprecedented level of brand exposure and significantly amplify the tournament’s viewership. This strategic shift aligns the event with a time when sports enthusiasts are most fervently engaged and tuned in. The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters stands as a prominent fixture in Qatar’s sports calendar, playing a crucial role in the growth of golf in the country since its inception. According to Hassan Nasser al-Naimi, President of QGA, the event not only complements the expansion of golf but also actively encourages young Qataris to embrace the sport and glean insights from DP World Tour Stars. Al-Naimi expressed that preparations for the upcoming tournament are progressing smoothly, thanks to the collaborative efforts of partners who have significantly contributed to enhancing the overall event experience for both players and spectators each year. Anticipation is high as al-Naimi looks forward to welcoming players, golf enthusiasts, and valued sponsors to Doha Golf Club for another edition of world-class golf scheduled for February 8th, 2024. Joseph Abraham, Group Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank, stated: “As we continue our committed sponsorship of the premier European tour golf event, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, spanning the past 19 years, we strategically align with Qatar’s Vision to emerge as a global sports hub and a host for significant international sporting events. As participants gather from around the world, I extend my heartfelt wishes for the very best of luck in this tournament, coupled with the hope for a successful event.”  

Saudi Arabia’s Alsharbatly glitters in GP title glory

Doha: Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly on Saturday night gave a fitting end to Doha International Equestrian Tour Championship 2024, clinching the CS15* - 1.60m Grand Prix title with exciting jump-off victory at Al Shaqab’s Outdoor Arena. After an error-free opening round, Alsharbatly, who was astride gelding Alamo, clocked 39.43 secs in the jump off to edge Santiago Lambre and pocket the winner’s purse of €77,150. Partnering with stallion Chacco Blue II, Brazil’s Lambre had to content with runner-up position with his time of 40.09 secs, collecting a cheque of €61,720. Denmark’s Rikker Belinda Barker, riding 12-year-old Tabalou PS, finished the jump-off in 41.78 secs to secure a podium finish and a prize of €46,290. Earlier, on the last day of third and final round, French rider Simon Delestre in company with I Amelusina R 51 topped the CS15* - 1.50m class with a time of 62.59 secs followed by Austrian Gerfried Puck, who rode Equitron Ornaat V, to second place with a time of 63.58 secs. Liechtenstein’s Jennifer Hochstadter teamed up with Golden Lady to take third position completing the course in 64.52 secs. The CS15* - 1.40m class witnessed Japan’s Mike Kawai and gelding Saxo de La Cour winning the title with a flawless show of 32.40 secs in the jump-off. Italy’s Roberto Previtali on Hachiko was second with 29.85 secs (four penalties) while Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat was third fastest in 31.60 secs (four penalties) as he partnered with mare Henriette. Meanwhile, home fans also relished a victory as Qatari rider Faleh Suwead Al Ajami claimed the CS12* - 1.35m class victory with Steyburn after a perfect round of 51.19 secs. Also yesterday, Denmark’s Rikke Belinda Barker (Pico Hcc) was victorious in CS12* - 1.45m class while Ireland’s Lee Carey (Careful Habibty) grabbed top honours in CS12* - 1.20m class. More than 115 showjumpers representing 20 countries competed in the Doha Tour which turned out to a huge success on return after six-year hiatus.  

QBF to host a Friendly Arab Tournament

Doha: The Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) will host a Friendly Arab Tournament from February 15-18, 2024 as a part of Qatar's preparations for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in Qatar.   The QBF Secretary General Saadoun Al Kuwari said that the tournament will be held at Lusail Arena and will bring together 6 nations including; Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Bahrain and hosts Qatar.   He also noted that the draw of the tournament was held recently where Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Algeria will play Group (A) while Group (B) includes Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain.