Curtain comes down on WTT Feeder Doha II

Doha: Jonathan Groth has come away with the goods at WTT Feeder Doha II, picking up the Men's Singles title for his first international career win. The 30-year-old from Denmark lifted the trophy by ousting Andreas Levenko in the final 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-4). While Groth came in to the event as the 2nd seed, Levenko was going to be a tough hurdle to overcome. The Austrian had already booked a WTT Feeder Series title to his name this year, winning Antalya back in April. But right from the get-go it was one way traffic for Groth. The left-handed Dane came out firing and never looked back. Serving up a storm, Groth went 21/28 on his own service points throughout the match, leaving little room for Levenko to make edgeways. In his first ever international Men's Singles final, Groth reigned supreme. Not once did the World No.37 trail Levenko. Leading from beginning to end, Groth dominated the matchup all the way to the title. It was a big turnaround for the Dane who in recent weeks had found himself on the losing end of a close battle. At WTT Feeder Stockholm, Groth went down 11-9 in the fifth to Tom Jarvis. That will now be wiped from his mind, with 2023 turning in to a successful year for the big-serving lefty. The WTT Feeder Series title now adds to his two WTT Contender semifinal appearances. In the Women's Singles there was also a first-time winner. Zeng Jian ran away with the Doha trophy, completing her mission in style with a straight games win over surprise finalist Anna Hursey (11-6, 11-5, 11-5). The World No.64's trip to the title wasn't all smooth sailing. Zeng almost fell early in Doha, having made comeback win over Goa Yuxin in the round of 16. But having been tested and come up trumps, Zeng would drop just one more game on her way to the top of the podium. Meanwhile, Hursey had a wild ride to the final in what was a watershed moment for the teenager. The 17-year-old strung together a series of upsets, with three consecutive full-distance wins. The most dramatic came over Ng Wing Lam in the quarterfinal, with the last two games going the Welsh athlete's way, 24-22 and 11-9. Next stop for the WTT Feeder Series will be Otocec, with the action going down in Slovenia from 30 October - 5 November.  

Amsterdam Dutch team win Expo Al Bidda Challenge 3x3 Basketball

Doha: The Amsterdam Dutch team won the Expo Al Bidda Challenge 3x3 Basketball Championship which concluded at the Cultural Zone of Expo 2023 Doha on Wednesday, with a large number of fans in attendance. A total of 16 teams from ten countries participated in the tournament, in addition to four teams from Qatar, namely the Doha, Lusail, Al-Bidda, and Al Wakrah teams, in addition to the participation of the Manila Philippine team, one of the most famous international teams in 3x3 competitions. The Qatari teams were able to perform well in the tournament, as Al Wakrah defeated China’s Buhan 21-20 and Al Wakrah beat the Doha team. The Doha team also defeated China’s Buhan 18-16. Manila Philippine also achieved a precious victory in its first appearance. The tournament was hosted as part of the agreement between QBF and the Organizing Committee of Expo 2023 Doha.  

Sheikh Joaan attends Qatar match against China in Asian Men’s Handball Qualification

DOHA -  The  Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended  Qatar  match against China in Asian Men’s Handball Qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games held at Duhail Arena on Wednesday. In this opening match, team Qatar got better of  China 34-25. The match was also attended by IHF  President, Dr. Hassan Mustafa , the QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain , the President of Qatar Handball Association, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Shaabi and senior Asian and Qatari sport officials.

Qatar defeat China in Asian Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament

Doha: Team Qatar began their campaign at the Asian Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament with a 34/25 victory over China on Wednesday.   The best 11 Asian sides are toughing it out for a place to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with the competition being held in the Duhail Handball Sports Hall, which hosted both the 2015 IHF Men’s Super Globe and several matches at the 2015 IHF Men’s World Championship. The competition is taking place between 18 and 28 October, with two round-robin groups in the preliminary round, with the top two sides in each group progressing to the semi-finals, extending their hopes for the coveted Paris 2024 Olympic Games ticket. Team Qatar will take on India in their second match on Thursday.   

Team Qatar beat Brunei in Billie Jean King Cup

Manama: Qatar women’s tennis team defeated Brunei 3-0 in the beginning of their campaign at the Asia/Oceania III Pool C of Billie Jean King Cup on Wednesday.  Team Qatar squad includes; Mubarka Al Naimi, Sheikha Khalifa, Khadija Qassama, Hend Al Mudahka and Safiya Al-Thani.  Team Qatar will take on Tajikistan in their second match.  Team Qatar were draw in Pool C alongside Tajikistan, Brunei and Nepal.  The participating teams are divided into groups of four teams with the winners qualify to the finals to compete for a spot in Asia/Oceania II.   

Sheikh Joaan attends IOC 141st Session

Mumbai - The QOC President and the ANOC Senior Vice President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the IOC 141st Session held today in Mumbai, India under the leadership of the IOC President H.E. Dr. Thomas Bach.  In attendance also were the IOC Executive Board members, the IOC members and Presidents of International Sports Federations and National Olympic Committees.   The meeting discussed a number of topics related to the Olympic movement development where the attendees thanked the state of Qatar for its contribution and support to the Olympic Refuge Foundation.  The QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain also attended the meeting.  Additionally, the QOC President and the ANOC Senior Vice President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the lunch banquet of the ANOC Executive Council held on the sidelines of the IOC 141st Session.