QESF and DFI sign a cooperation agreement to increase E-Sports Athletes

DOHA – The Qatar E-Sports Federation (QESF)  announced on Saturday , the signing of a cooperation  agreement  with Doha Film Institute (DFI) with purpose of  exchanging  experience, putting together  a collective effort that could help  building up a better E-sport base for athletes and amateurs , developing their skills and turning Qatar into a centre  of E-sports in the region and the world. At the signing ceremony, the  QESF President Sheikh Abdullah bin Faleh Al Thani signed on behalf of the QESF  and Ms. Fatima Hassan Al Rumaihi, CEO, Doha Film Institute, inked on behalf of the Institute, the occasion attended by senior officials from the QESF and DFI. This agreement will cover the exchange of experience, organization of  joint workshops, encourage youngsters to be integral part of this sports and to  boost E-sports sector. In a post- signing ceremony statement, the QESF President Sheikh Abdullah bin Faleh Al Thani  has appreciated the agreement , described it  as a part of  the QESF’s strategy to join hands with government institutions with effort to  develop the  mental sports youngsters  and do  all the best to establish national teams that will represent the country at the international arenas. “ This  is just a first step to a series of agreements to come in the future, we  hopefully it  can  help increase  Qatari community awareness about the mental sports”  the QESF President. In the same context, Ms. Fatima Hassan Al Rumaihi, CEO, Doha Film Institute  has lauded the agreement  and confirmed that  DFI’s enduring quest is  to build a better cooperation with  the government and non-government institutions to take this mental sports  to new grounds. “ Over the last 10  years, our institute has been encouraging E-sports athletes and amateurs to do the sports and we had organised a number E-sports events, this why we cooperate now with QESF to increase the base  of  participants and to support our national teams” added Ms Al Rumaihi.

Qatar to take on Iran in AFC U17 Asian Cup

Bangkok: Confidence is high in the Islamic Republic of Iran camp as they prepare to play Qatar on Monday in their second AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 Group B match. The Central Asians swept to an impressive 6-1 win against Afghanistan on Friday and head coach Hossein Abdi wants his players to ride on the momentum and positive mindset that resulted from the performance. “The first match is very important in any competition and now that we have finished it, we can think about the second match,” said Abdi. “When you get a win, you can then recover well and be inspired for the next match. You can train, sleep and eat with confidence. Recovery also has a mental aspect; if you had lost, you cannot recover well… when you finish with three points and lots of goals, (it helps you) for the next match.” The win marked the first time that Iran have scored six times in one match in the history of the tournament, and another win against Qatar will surely seal progress from the group stage for the first time since 2016. Abdi was also pleased with the performance of his substitutes, who slotted in seamlessly into the match and continued to create chances, with two of them - Alireza Homaeifard and Reza Ghandi Pour - combining to score the sixth. “We will be changing some players (for the next match),” he said. “Everyone can go on and play to the same (level) as a substitute; all the players have different talents and styles, and this is very good for me. I went to all the cities (in Iran) to find talent and I am very lucky to find these players.” It is do-or-die for Qatar, who know that anything other than a win will likely see them eliminated from a competition they won in 1990. Head coach Ibrahim Mohamud Shafie had declared prior to their first match against Korea Republic that the aim was to go all the way again, but a 6-1 humbling at the Pathum Thani Stadium has left them with a mountain to climb. However, the 54-year-old insisted that his side are more than capable of bouncing back at the Rajamangala Stadium to revive their knockout round hopes. “Although they may be feeling a bit down, I have full trust in them and believe they have the ability to make a comeback,” Shafie said. “The boys are understandably upset, but their behaviour after the game shows that there are positive aspects to take away from this match, and I'm confident they will bounce back. “The dressing room is filled with a positive mental attitude, and I have complete faith in my players to achieve success against Iran.”  

Team Qatar off to China for 2023 Asian Beach Volleyball Championships

DOHA, (QNA) - The Qatari national beach volleyball team left for China on Sunday to participate in the 2023 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships. Among the ranks of the Qatar first team headed for China are the duo Ahmed Tejan and Sherif Younis, winners of the Bandar Abbas-hosted 2022 Asian Senior Men's Beach Volleyball Championship held in Iran, after defeating the Australia duo Christopher McHugh and Paul Burnett by (21/16 and 21/17). In addition to the second Qatar team, with the promising duo Abdallah Nassim and Mohamed Ihab included, who are expected to shine in the near future, thanks to the Qatar Olympic Committee's great interest and support for the second team, with strategic plans in place to prepare the second Qatar team to become as good as the first. The Championships, which will run from June 23-26, will see the participation of 32 national volleyball teams from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Qatar, and Thailand. 

Qatar to play New Zealand in football Friendly

VIENNA , (QNA) - Qatar will play New Zealand friendly on Monday, the last trial match of their Vienna training camp for the Concacaf Gold Cup 2023, slated to be held in the US and Canada from June 24 to July 16. The training camp, launched on June 1, saw Al Ennabi losing 0-2 to Croatia (domestic league players) and defeating Jamaica 2-1. Tomorrow's game is crucial for Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz to announce his 23-player squad for their second Concacaf Gold Cup featuring. Queiroz's men will fly for the US June 20. Qatar were drawn in Group B along with Mexico, Haiti and Honduras. Their opener will be against Haiti on June 25, before taking on Honduras on June 29 and Mexico on July 2. Breaking their Gold Cup duck in 2021, Qatar were eliminated in the semi-finals following a 0-1 loss to hosts and reigning champions the US.

Qatar Handball Association names national squad for training camp in July

Doha: The Qatar Handball Association (QHA) yesterday announced a 20-player squad that will represent the national team during upcoming competitions. The list includes Abdul Rahman Tariq Al Abdullah, Mustafa Amir Prestige, Ahmed Muhammad Madadi, Rafael de Costa Capote, Bilal Labinka, Alaeddin Nabil Bel Rashed, Jovan Giseves, Amin Noureddine Quhis, Hamdi Al-Nouri Ayad, Mirza Kapic (Al Duhail), Arhad Al Yahuzdic and Wajdi Ibrahim Sinan (Al Arabi). Amir Noureddine Dungir and Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Murad (Al Gharafa), Amin Muwafaq Zakar Wilder Memisevich and Youssef Al Tayeb Ali (Al Rayyan), Yassin Sami Ibrahim and Muhammad Amin Obeidi (Al Wakrah), and Franks Carol Marzo (Kuwaiti SC). The national team will begin its training on July 25 under Spanish coach Valero Rivera. The team will prepare for the 19th Asian Games scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8 and the men’s handball Asian qualifiers for the 33rd Summer Olympics (Paris 2024) to be held in Doha from October 18 to 28. Team Qatar will also take part in the 21st Asian Men’s Championship early next year.

Qatar to take on Korea Republic in AFC U17 Asian Cup

Bangkok: Former champions Korea Republic and Qatar both expect to hit the ground running when they square off in Group B of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 today. Korea Republic, winners of the AFC U16 Championship in 1986 and 2002, will be up against a Qatari side who were champions in 1990 with both aiming to end their long waits for the title. Qatar coach Ibrahim Mohammud Shafie said that his Qatari side has matured under Qatar’s Aspire Academy. “We are thrilled to be here and hope to give our best performance and aspire to succeed in this tournament,” said Shafie. “Our preparations for this tournament began a long time ago, not just for this tournament as these boys have been training at the Aspire Academy for the past six years. “Our preparation has been excellent, including participation in various tournaments and friendlies. We even had the opportunity to play against China PR  and we are fully prepared to compete in our group.” “It has been 33 years since we last won the title and now we have the opportunity to win it. It is within our grasp  and I believe we are well prepared to repeat this feat," he said. The players are highly motivated and are determined to give their all to achieve our target,” the coach added.