Queiroz names Team Qatar squad ahead of friendlies

Doha: Qatar national football team coach Carlos Queiroz named the squad ahead of Team Qatar’s two friendlies against Kenya (Sep 7) and Russia (Sep 12) to be played at the Al Janoub Stadium. The reigning Asian champions Qatar are preparing for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup in January 2024. The tournament to be held in Qatar will see the hosts meet Lebanon on January 12, 2024. Qatar Squad: Goalkeepers: Jasem Al Hail (Al Arabi), Meshaal Barsham, Saad Al Sheeb (Al Sadd), Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail). Defenders: Ahmed Suhail, Boualam khoukhi, Musab Khider, Pedro Miguel, Tariq Salman (Al Sadd), Bassam Al Rawi (Al Rayyan), Hazem Ahmed (Al Wakrah), Homam Al Amin (Al Gharafa), Youssef Ayman (Al Duhail) Midfielders: Abdullah Al Ahrak (Qatar SC), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Abdullah Al Marafie, Ahmed Fathi (Al Arabi), Ali Asad, Mustafa Meshaal (Al Sadd), Karim Boudiaf (Al Duhail). Forwards: Ahmed Alaa (Al Gharafa), Akram Afif, Hassan Al Haydos, Mohammed Waad, Yousef Abdelrazaq (Al Sadd), Almoez Ali (Al Duhail).

Team Qatar go down to France in FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023 Quarter-finals

BUDAPEST - The Qatar nation team exited the quarter-finals of the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023, held in Debrecen, Hungary over five days. The Qatari team consisting of the quartet Azzam Abuisneenah, Fahad Mohd Alojan, Hamad Yassin and Moustapha Ndao, exited the quarter-finals after losing to its French counterpart, one of the candidates for the title, with a score of (15-18). Qatar had qualified for the quarter-finals by obtaining the second ticket in its group after securing the second place in the overall standings, following its victory in three matches over Mongolia with a score of (21-12), Tunisia with (21-15), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by withdrawing, only to lose in its match against Germany by a score of (13-21). 

Fares Ibrahim to participate in 2023 World Weightlifting Championships

Doha: Team Qatar star Fares Ibrahim will participate in the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 4 to 17 September 2023. The event will feature the participation of 2500 athlete from 170 countries.  The event serves as a mandatory event to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Qatar's Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr elected Vice President of Asian Shooting Confederation

Kuwait: President of the Qatar Shooting & Archery Association (QSAA) Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr has been elected Vice President of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) for the next session. The election took place during the General Assembly of the ASC that was held today in Kuwait in the presence of representatives of 41 national federations in the Asian continent. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr won 77 votes during the elections for the executive positions of the ASC, including 5 vice-presidents and 8 members of the executive office. During the ASC General Assembly, Kuwaiti candidate Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah reelected by acclamation as President of the ASC for the next four years. Attended by the President of the International Shooting Federation Luciano Rossi, the meeting adopted the ASC's administrative and financial reports for the fiscal year, and approved the program for the continental championships in the coming period. The start will be with the Asian Shooting Championship in Korea in October, the Asian Shotgun Championship in Kuwait in January, and the Asian Rifle & Pistol Championship in Indonesia in February, among others. Al Nasr expressed his happiness at winning this Asian position with the highest percentage of votes during the ASC General Assembly elections. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Nasr dedicated his victory to the wise leadership and to HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani for their support for sports and athletes. Al Nasr stressed that one of the most key reasons behind this victory was the important reputation enjoyed by Qatari sports on a continental and international level through successful hosting of the most prominent tournaments as well as the competence and excellence of the Qatari cadres in various sports sectors. Working with ASC President Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah during the coming period is an important gain, he said, noting at the same time his constant keenness and the importance of concerted efforts and harnessing all capabilities to advance this ancient sport at the Asian level at all levels, wishing all the elected members continued success. In November 2023, Qatar will host the shooting champions and will host the final shooting tournament that qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympics in April 2024.

Qatar wins bronze medal at Asian Junior Taekwondo Championships

BEIRUT – Qatar’s fighter Noor Nazar produced a solid performance on Saturday to claim  the bronze medal at the 12th edition of Asian Junior Taekwondo Championships , which is  last until September 8   in Lebanon capital city of Beirut. Noor seized the bronze medal after getting better of Jordanian’s Malak Al Ashaqar in the  last eight game then suffered a semifinals defeat at the hands of  Korean Kim Ya Won. This championship is bringing  together 285 fighters ( youth category) from 26 countries and  213 fighters ( junior category) from 24 countries.

Barshim jumps to gold at Zurich Diamond League

Zurich: Qatar’s high jump superstar Mutaz Barshim showed glimpses of returning to his best after winning the Zurich Diamond League title at the Stadion Letzigrund yesterday. The Olympic champion cleared 2.35 metres to win and earn a bit of redemption after his disappointing bronze at the Budapest World Championships last week. New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr finished runner-up after clearing 2.33m for national record and his personal best. South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo took third spot at 2.24m, beating newly-crowned world champion Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy on countback. Barshim went clear at 2.15 and 2.20 but needed second attempt to go past 2.24. But thereafter the 32-year-old was clinical until 2.35. Once the victory was in his bag, Barshim made an attempt at 2.37 twice and 2.40m once but it wasn’t meant to be. Barshim, also a three-time World Champion, said he wasn’t at his best physically or mentally but was ‘proud’ of his victory. “I had some solid jumps today – to jump 2.35 – and I am not the freshest coming from the World Championships physically and mentally a bit tired but I am proud of myself today,” the Qatari legend after his victory. “It felt good and it was a good competition. You know, last week it was really hot today so this weather feels pretty cold. To win one event, it does not mean anything, you need to prove it. That is the sport - sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down. So I am very glad for the win today.” “I really felt like I found something that was missing in my jumps. I would say I am kind of a family guy - boring one - always at home with my family and my friends. I travel a lot so whenever I can spend some time with my family with them and they give me an extra energy to have them here,” he added. Barshim said now his main priority is to retain the Asian Games gold in China later this month, while also hoping to triumph at the Diamond League Finals, which will be held in Eugene, USA on September 16 and 17. “Now, Eugene is probably on the schedule but for us, the Asian Games is very important too so I need to talk to my agent first,” Barshim said.