Top riders set to compete at Al Shaqab as prestigious Doha Tour returns

DOHA - The Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) has announced the return of the prestigious Doha International Equestrian Tour which will bring together the world’s best showjumpers at state-of-the-art Al Shaqab’s Longines Outdoor Arena next month. Taking place for the first time since 2017, the Doha Tour 2024 will feature four legs from January 11 to February 17 and is set to give a fitting start to the New Year, which will see the hosting of high-profile equestrian events in Qatar. The forthcoming Tour includes an array of classes with riders eyeing honours in the CSI5*, CSI4*, CSI2* and CSIYH1* contests. The first leg comprising three classes: CSI4*, CSI2* and CSIYH1* will be held from January 11 to 13. Riders will then compete in CSI4*, CSI2* and CSIYH1* events in the second leg, scheduled from January 18 to 20. The third leg consisting of CSI5*, CSI2* and CSIYH1* classes will take place from January 25 to 27, before the Tour culminates with the fourth and final leg penciled in from February 15 to 17. The CSI5*, CSI2*, and CSIYH1* events will be held in the last leg. Commenting on the launch of the tournament, Sheikh Ahmed bin Nooh Al Thani, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Doha International Equestrian Tours 2024, said: “The Doha International Tour embodies the integration between the relevant sectors to organize an international tournament that will enhance equestrian sports in the region and promote Qatar which is already considered a prestigious international destination in equestrianism. It will also be an exceptional opportunity to develop and improve the skills of riders as it brings together an elite group of the best riders in the world who will compete according to the highest recognized international standards in the field of show jumping.” He added: “The Doha International Tour is a culmination of our efforts to enhance sports tourism and promote Doha as the capital of sports, especially since it coincides with a number of international sports events including the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 that the country will host next year. “We are proud to organize this international edition of the tournament, which comes more than 6 years after the last edition of the Doha rounds. We believe that this tournament will strengthen our strategic relations with our partners inside and outside the State of Qatar, and is a testimony to the commitment of Qatar in supporting equestrian sports.” Apart from the action, spectators will enjoy multiple entertainment activities planned during the entire Doha Tour. The price per ticket for the general stands is QR25 and can be obtained from www.q-tickets.com.  

Waleed Zaman qualifies to QSF 6 2023 Semifinals

Doha: Team Qatar star Waleed Zaman qualified to the semifinals of QSF 6 2023 organized by the Qatar Squash Federation at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex until December 21.  In the quarterfinals held on Tuesday, Zaman defeated his compatriot Salem Al Malki in 11-5 11-8 11-5 to set semifinals show-down with Kuwait’s Mohammad Al Masoud. In the other semifinals match, Kuwait’s Ammar Al Tamimi will take on Iran’s Sepehr Etemadpoor.   

Qatar handball team to play three friendly matches

Doha: Qatar’s handball team will play three friendly matches against Iraq and Algeria in light of their preparations for the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship to be staged in Bahrain from January 11 to 25, 2024. The championship serves as a qualifier for the 2025 World Championship in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway. In the 21st Asian Championship, Team Qatar were drawn in Group 1 alongside Kuwait, Oman, and Chinese Taipei. The top two teams from each group advance to the main round, where eight teams will compete in a league format. The first and second-placed teams from each group will proceed to the semi-finals and qualify directly for the World Championship. In the previous edition of the Asian Championship held in Saudi Arabia, Qatar secured the title by defeating Bahrain 29-24 in the final match.  

Team Qatar to play friendlies against Cambodia and Jordan

DOHA -  Qatar will take on Cambodia and Jordan in friendly matches as part of their preparations for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced on Tuesday. Team Qatar , who will defend their Asian crown at home, will meet Cambodia on December 31 before playing against Jordan on January 5. The QFA did not announce the venues for the two matches. Qatar will be under new coach Marquez Lopez, the current Al Wakrah SC coach, who replaced veteran Portuguese Carlos Queiroz earlier this month. The Asian Cup will be played from January 12 to February 10, 2024 across nine stadiums in Qatar. The home team will face China, Tajikistan and Lebanon in Group A.  

Countdown to AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 gathers pace

Doha: With just under 30 days to go before the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 kicks off, the 24 teams are finalising their preparations for the continent’s premier national team tournament. Hosts Qatar and Lebanon will kick-off the tournament on January 12 with new head coaches in place. Portuguese Carlos Queiroz has been replaced by Spaniard Marquez Lopez as Qatar head coach while Miodrag Radulovic has returned to take charge of Lebanon. Radulovic, who took Lebanon to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, takes over from Nikola Jurcevic, with the Croatian stepping down by mutual consent. Thailand will also have a new head coach, with Japan’s Masatada Ishii having replaced Alexandre Polking in November. The final squads will only be announced later but fans are beginning to get an inkling of how their favourite teams will probably look with some naming their preliminary squads. China PR have named a 26-player training squad, while India have a 50-strong list. Korea Republic, seeking a third title, have reportedly said their final squad will be named in the final week of December. Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sardar Azmoun and Maty Ryan of Australia could miss Qatar 2023 after picking up injuries over the past week. Azmoun suffered a calf injury after coming on as a substitute for Roma in their Serie A match against Fiorentina the previous Sunday. Socceroos captain and first-choice goalkeeper Ryan, meanwhile, appears to be in a race against time after suffering a fractured cheekbone. Dutch club AZ Alkmaar said on Monday that Ryan, 31, suffered a head injury during training on Sunday, then had surgery that would sideline him for several weeks. Qatar’s Almoez Ali and Ali Mabkhout of the United Arab Emirates, barring the unexpected, will line up for their respective teams at the continental showpiece. Both have nine AFC Asian Cup goals to their names, with Ali having scored all of his in Qatar’s title-winning campaign in 2019. Mabkhout, meanwhile, was the top scorer in the 2015 edition with five goals, with another four netted four years later. The question now is can they overtake all-time AFC Asian Cup top scorer Ali Daei, with the Islamic Republic of Iran legend having 14 goals to his name. Matches at the nine stadiums that will be utilised for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 are set to have rocking atmospheres based on ticket sales. Supporters from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and India are leading the way in what promises to be an extravaganza of Asian national team football.  

World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024: 50 Days to Go

Doha, 14 December 2023 - Only 50 days separate aquatic sports fans from the start of the first-ever World Aquatics Championships in the Middle East. Doha, Qatar, is gearing up to host 2,600 of the world's best athletes from nearly 190 countries, who will compete in an atmosphere full of excitement and suspense. The city is also preparing to welcome thousands of fans from around the world to watch this major sporting event, which will take place from February 2 to 18, 2024. Expressing enthusiasm for this important milestone, His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-buainain, Vice President of the Local Organizing Committee of the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024 stated: "Qatar returns to the world's spotlight, but this time with Aquatic sports. We are delighted that Doha is the first stop for this prestigious event in the Middle East, and we are fully prepared to host athletes and spectators, organizing an exhilarating celebration of Aquatics excellence like no other." "Hosting the World Championships will be a new opportunity to affirm Qatar's excellence in organizing major sporting events. We are confident that the World Championships will leave a lasting legacy a lasting legacy for our region’s hundreds of millions of young people and solidify Qatar's position as an exceptional sports destination in Aquatic sports and beyond." "Nahim" and "Mayfara," the captivating mascots of the World Aquatics Championship – Doha 2024, recently debuted at Old Doha Port, one of the event's three competition venues, alongside Aspire Dome and Hamad Aquatic Center. "Nahim," representing the gentle whale shark prevalent in Qatar's waters, symbolizes the nation's environment and cultural ties. Meanwhile, "Mayfara" embodies the vibrancy and diversity of coral reefs, reflecting Qatar's welcoming culture. Both mascots aim to promote environmental conservation and sustainability, inspiring unity towards a brighter future. The full schedule of competitions can be found here. For more information about the World Aquatics Championship – Doha 2024 and ticket purchases, please visit our official website. End World Aquatics Championships  World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 is set to include 75 medal events in six Aquatic sports: swimming, artistic swimming, open water swimming, diving, high diving, and water polo across three venues in Doha. This Championship will showcase the world’s very best Aquatics athletes on their journey to world titles and Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 Olympics. World Aquatics Masters Championships - Doha 2024 will provide an ideal setting for the world’s best Aquatics competition for participants from around the world.