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.  

Qatar win Asian handball title a sixth time

MANAMA - The Qatar handball team defeated Japan in Bahrain on Thursday to win the 21st Asian Men’s Championship for a sixth time. Qatar won the final 30-24.  Qatar had earlier in the tournament already qualified for the 2025 World Championship to be jointly staged by in Croatia, Denmark and Norway.  Qatar’s have previously won the Asian title in the past five editions in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Qatar made a strong in the final finishing the first half at 17-11), before continuing their superiority in the second half to clinch victory and the title.  Qatar team have qualified for the World Championship for a tenth time after their previous appearances at Portugal 2003, Tunisia 2005, Germany 2007, Spain 2013, Qatar 2015, France 2017, Germany and Denmark 2019, Egypt 2021, and Poland and Sweden 2023.  Finishing as the runners-up at the 2015 Worlds as hosts has been Qatar’s best result so far. Japan, Kuwait and Bahrain, along with Qatar, have also qualified for the 2025 World Championships. Bahrain finished overall third beating Kuwait 26-17.   

Olympic and World Champions among ambassadors named for Doha 2024

Doha: The World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 has announced nine athlete ambassadors ahead of the flagship event being held in Qatar and the Middle East for the first time between February 2 and 18. More than 2,600 of the world’s best aquatics athletes will head to Qatari capital Doha next week looking to secure World Championship glory, while a number of qualification spots for the 2024 Paris Olympics are also available. Now, the Doha 2024 Organising Committee has announced a stellar line-up of ambassadors, including former World Champions, Olympic medallists and star athletes preparing to compete in the championships. The ambassadors come from nine different countries, three separate continents and represent four of the six disciplines taking place in Doha during the 17 days of exciting competition. Nada Mohamed Wafa Arakji became the first Qatari women to compete at the Olympic Games when she swam at 2012 London Games and is the host country’s ambassador. Joining Nada is Yusra Mardini, originally from Syria before taking refugee status. Mardini was named as one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2022 after competing for the Olympic Refugee Team at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Representing Africa will be Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui, who will gain plenty of support as he looks to defend the two gold medals he won at last year’s World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, two years after stunning the swimming world when he finished first in the men’s 400m freestyle at Tokyo 2020. Three-time Olympic gold medallists Anthony Ervin (USA) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (Netherlands) and Olympic champion Pernille Blume (Denmark) will also serve as ambassadors in Doha. These legends of the swimming pool have won more than 20 World Championships medals between them during their distinguished careers. Water polo legend, two-time world champion and multiple World Player of the Year Filip Filipovic will be keeping a close eye on his former Serbia teammates, while Olympic medallist in Artistic Swimming Ona Carbonell Ballestero and 3m springboard diver turned professional high-diver Alain Kohl from Luxembourg will also be in Doha promoting the Championships. Doha  2024 Director General Khaleel al-Jaber said: “We are delighted to be able to count on the support of nine distinguished ambassadors ahead of the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 beginning next week. “Doha 2024 promises to be a unique celebration of aquatics sports and a chance to welcome athletes and fans from across the world to Qatar, where they will be able to experience our state-of-the-art facilities, world-class hospitality and unique culture. “Our ambassadors have all gained great followings during their careers and will be able to amplify the success of Doha 2024 through their work, ensuring that the world is connected to the Championships.” To watch world’s best aquatics athletes in action in Qatar further details including ticket news can be found at https://www.worldaquatics-doha2024.com/en/ticketing  

Team Qatar looks for new glory against Japan in Asian Men’s Handball Championship Final

MANAMA –  Team Qatar will lock horns against Japanese counterparts in the final match of the  21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship 2023 to be  held in  Bahrain’s capital city of Manama on Thursday. Team Qatar advanced to the final stage of this Asian handball top tournament , following their 33-26 victory over Kuwait in the semifinals game held on Tuesday. Team Qatar look  to extend  their  remarkable  legacy, having clinched the Asian title in the last five editions  (2014,  2016,  2018,  2020,  and  2022), likewise opponents, Japan aspire to secure  a third continental title in their history. Team Qatar  have already booked their  spot  in 2025 World Championship to be held in Croatia, Denmark and Norway for the tenth time their history.  

Nadal to headline Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2024

Doha: The Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) has confirmed that 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal will headline this year's Qatar ExxonMobil Open, to be held from February 19 to 24 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, the home of tennis, in Doha. The Spanish superstar, who will be making a return to the courts after opting out of this year's Australian Open, won the tournament in 2014, where he defeated France’s Gaël Monfils to lift his maiden title at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The 14-time French Open champion was also a runner-up at the 2016 tournament. Aside from the former World No. 1 Nadal, the tournament's defending champion and World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev, World No. 5 Andrey Rublev, and two-time champion and three Grand Slam winner Andy Murray are some of the players to look out for at the recently upgraded ATP 500 tournament, which has grown to become one of the signature events on the ATP Tour calendar. Tariq Zainal, QTF Secretary-General, said, "We are thrilled to announce the return of the esteemed Rafael Nadal and other stars to Doha for this year's tournament. It is truly a privilege to have a player of Nadal's exceptional talent participate in such a prestigious event. Doha has always been synonymous with outstanding tennis, and it comes as no surprise that the tournament has consistently drawn renowned players since its inception in 1993. With each passing year, this event only grows in grandeur, and we eagerly anticipate the arrival of all the players and fans to partake in this remarkable tennis spectacle in February,” he added. The ATP 250 tournament, with a total prize money of $1,395,875, will feature 28 players in the singles, while 16 pairs will participate in the doubles event. Karim Alami, Qatar ExxonMobil Open Tournament Director, said, "I am delighted to inform you that Rafael Nadal has decided to make a comeback to the courts at our tournament, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2024. As the Tournament Director, it brings me great joy to announce this exciting news." "We take great pride in welcoming Nadal back to Doha, a tournament that he has graced with his presence and emerged victorious in the past. Moreover, his immense popularity in this city ensures a devoted fan base that eagerly awaits the opportunity to witness his extraordinary skills once more. "I am confident that he will deliver numerous remarkable experiences to both the guests and spectators of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, as well as to the entire tennis community. Lastly, I extend my gratitude to our title sponsor, ExxonMobil, as well as all our exclusive sponsors, the Qatar Tennis Federation, and all relevant government entities for their unwavering support during these challenging times and for ensuring the continuation of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open tradition," Alami added. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, one of two ATP Tour events held in the Middle East, has been selected by players as the ATP 250 Tournament of the Year on five occasions (2015, ’17, ’19, '21-'22). Sales of tickets for the tournament are now open, and fans can purchase them online at www.qatartennis.org or at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Tickets are also available at selected malls, including Villagio Mall, City Centre and Place Vendome.

Team Qatar power past Kuwait to reach Asian Men’s Handball Championship Final

MANAMA -  Team Qatar booked spot in the final of the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship 2023 after defeating Kuwait 33-26 in the semifinals game held in Bahrain’s capital city of Manama on Tuesday. Team Qatar will shake hands with Japan who got better of hosts Bahrain 20-17 in the second semifinals game held on Tuesday. Team Qatar  have already booked their  spot  in 2025 World Championship to be held in Croatia, Denmark and Norway for the tenth time their history.  Team Qatar aspire to extend  their  remarkable  legacy, having clinched the Asian title in the last five editions  (2014,  2016,  2018,  2020,  and  2022).