Qatar Basketball Team Completes Intensive Turkey Camp Ahead of Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

DOHA – The Qatar men’s national basketball team has successfully concluded a high-performance training camp in Antalya, Türkiye, held from June 11 to 20, as preparations intensify for the upcoming Asian and Oceanian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.Organized by the Qatar Basketball Federation, the overseas camp formed a vital component of the national team’s long-term preparation strategy, providing players with an ideal environment to elevate their competitive readiness ahead of a decisive phase of the qualification campaign.Under the guidance of Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, the squad underwent an extensive program combining physical conditioning, technical development, tactical refinement, and team-building exercises. Daily training sessions focused on enhancing both defensive and offensive systems while addressing technical lessons from previous qualification matches.The Antalya camp represented another significant step in Qatar’s continued basketball development, reflecting the federation’s commitment to providing world-class preparation opportunities as the team seeks to build on its impressive performances in the qualifiers.Qatar’s campaign has already produced several memorable moments. After suffering a narrow 75-74 defeat to Lebanon in Doha, the national team responded in emphatic fashion by securing a historic 86-83 victory in Beirut—one of the most notable away wins in the program’s recent history. The team later reinforced its credentials with a dominant 99-73 triumph over India in Doha, further strengthening its position in the race for qualification.Following their return to Doha, the players will immediately enter the next stage of preparations with two international friendly matches against Tunisia on June 23 and 25 at Al Gharafa Hall. The fixtures are expected to provide valuable match experience and further sharpen the squad’s competitive edge.Qatar will then host Saudi Arabia on June 29 in a rescheduled contest from the second qualification window before traveling to Ahmedabad to face India on July 2. The team will conclude the window with a highly anticipated encounter against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on July 5.With Qatar, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia all level on five points at the top of Group D, and India on three points, the battle for qualification remains finely balanced. The upcoming matches are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the group standings and determining the teams that advance to the next phase of the road to Qatar 2027. 

Team Qatar lose to Oman in AVC Men's Volleyball Cup

Ahmedabad: Qatar’s national volleyball team began its campaign at the 2026 AVC Men's Volleyball Cup with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Oman in their opening Group B match on Saturday at the tournament being held in Ahmedabad, India, and running until June 29.Team Qatar made a strong start to the contest, claiming the first two sets 25-19 and 25-21 to move within one set of victory. However, Oman fought back to take the third set 27-25 and the fourth 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth set.The Omani side maintained its momentum in the tie-break, edging Qatar 15-13 to complete the comeback and secure a 3-2 victory.The draw placed Qatar in Group B alongside South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and Oman. Group A consists of hosts India, Australia, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and New Zealand.Qatar will continue its campaign against Thailand on Sunday before facing Indonesia on Monday. The team will then take on Bahrain on June 25 and conclude its preliminary round matches against South Korea on June 26, as it seeks to secure one of the qualification spots for the knockout stage. 

Suhaim Al Yafei Secures Victory at Longines Global Champions Tour in Paris

Paris : Qatar’s Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei produced an impressive performance to claim victory in the CSI1* 1.25m class at the seventh leg of the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL Team Series, held in the French capital, Paris.Partnering Flash de Boijets, Al Yafei delivered a faultless round and crossed the finish line in 26.55 seconds to secure first place ahead of a competitive field of international riders.Mexico’s Priscila Pasquel finished second aboard Fin Lotte de K with a time of 26.88 seconds, while Great Britain’s Tess Carmichael took third place riding Bungle SR in 27.40 seconds.The victory marks another notable achievement for Qatari equestrian sport and highlights the continued development of the nation’s riders on the international circuit. It also reflects Qatar’s growing reputation in global showjumping competitions, where its athletes continue to deliver strong performances against top-class opposition.Al Yafei’s success in Paris adds to a series of positive results for Qatari equestrianism and reinforces the country’s position as an emerging force in the sport at both regional and international levels.

Mehrdad Ghadimi and Rakan Al Harith reach finals of Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships

Zunyi, China: Qatar’s artistic gymnastics team delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, with both Mehrdad Ghadimi and Rakan Al Harith securing places in the apparatus finals of the continental event currently being held in Zunyi, China, from 18 to 21 June.The achievement marks a significant milestone for Qatari gymnastics, particularly given the high calibre of the competition, which features World and Olympic medalists alongside Asia’s leading gymnasts.Mehrdad Ghadimi advanced to the Rings Final after producing an outstanding display during the qualification round, earning his place among the continent’s elite specialists on the apparatus.Rakan Al Harith also booked his place in the Pommel Horse Final following a confident and technically accomplished routine, continuing the progress he has demonstrated on the international stage and underlining the growing strength of Qatari gymnastics.The Qatari delegation travelled to China under the leadership of Mr. Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and First Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), accompanied by athletes Mehrdad Ghadimi and Rakan Al Harith.Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Al Hitmi praised the performances of both gymnasts and described their qualification for the finals as a major accomplishment for Qatari sport.“Qualifying two gymnasts for apparatus finals at a championship of this level is a remarkable achievement and reflects the progress being made by Qatari gymnastics,” he said. “The competition includes some of the best gymnasts in the world and Asia, making this result even more significant.”He added: “This success is the outcome of the hard work and commitment shown by our athletes, coaches and administrative staff, as well as the long-term development programmes implemented by the Federation. We are proud of what has been achieved and look forward to seeing both gymnasts perform strongly in their respective finals.”Al Hitmi also acknowledged the continued support provided by the Qatar Olympic Committee, emphasizing its important role in helping national federations develop athletes capable of competing successfully at the highest regional, continental and international levels.The qualification of both Ghadimi and Al Harith further highlights the steady rise of Qatari gymnastics on the Asian stage and reinforces the Federation’s ambitions of achieving even greater success in major international competitions. 

Qatar Beach Volleyball Team Opens Asian Campaign Against Thailand

China – Qatar’s beach volleyball team, represented by the duo Mohammed Ehab and Musa Al-Khair, begins its journey today in the fourth Asian Beach Volleyball Tour for men and women, hosted in China from June 18 to 22, featuring top-ranked Asian teams.Qatar opens its Group Eight campaign against Thailand’s pair T. Pitak and M. Washiraweet in a crucial first encounter, where the Qatari duo will aim for a strong start to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds. They will later face Kazakhstan’s Sergei Bogato and Kirill Gorin in their second group match, with the technical staff targeting consistent high-level performances that reflect the team’s intensive preparation.The delegation is headed by Khalifa Salem Al-Mal, while coach Fernando leads the technical staff after designing a comprehensive preparation program focused on enhancing both physical and technical readiness ahead of this major continental challenge.This participation forms part of Qatar Volleyball Federation’s ongoing development strategy, aimed at providing valuable competitive exposure against Asia’s elite teams. 

Mutaz Barshim Confirms Readiness for Doha Diamond League Meeting

Doha: Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim has confirmed his full readiness to compete in the men’s high jump at the Doha Meeting of the Wanda Diamond League, which takes place tomorrow (Friday).Speaking at a press conference held today ahead of the competition, Barshim said he is looking forward to delivering his best performance as he returns to the high jump after a lengthy absence. He explained that he has worked consistently in recent months to regain his fitness and reach a level that will allow him to compete at the highest level, adding that he has achieved a good degree of physical readiness that will help him challenge for strong results and target his best marks.Barshim stressed that he is determined to continue his athletic journey and achieve the competitive goals he has set for himself this season, noting that these ambitions remain within reach provided he maintains the highest levels of focus.The Qatari star, a three-time world champion, described the start of his 2026 season as successful following his triumph at the Gulf Games in May and his gold medal-winning performance at the Asian High Jump Championships in China.He also emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard throughout the season, revealing that he has always carried a message with every jump he makes in competition: preserving success as part of Qatar’s sporting legacy.For his part, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra said that competing in Doha represents a new challenge at the start of the athletics season as he continues his pursuit of top performances and greater consistency in the event.Speaking at the same press conference, Chopra said he expects strong competition, particularly from Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, the current Diamond League leader in the men’s javelin. However, he expressed confidence in his preparations and his ability to deliver his best performance in Doha.Chopra noted that he has always enjoyed special memories in Doha, where he has consistently produced some of his finest performances.He described the men’s javelin competition as one of the strongest events on the programme, featuring a distinguished field of athletes who have won Olympic and World Championship medals.The Indian star also praised the organisation of the Doha Diamond League Meeting, saying that the excellent competition environment, hospitality and medical support enable athletes to perform at their very best.Meanwhile, Dominican Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino said she has come to Doha with the goal of achieving a top performance in the women’s 400m.Speaking at the same press conference, Paulino acknowledged that the race would not be easy, but stressed that she would give her maximum effort in pursuit of the best possible result. She noted that this will be her third appearance in Doha and expressed her ambition to set another strong mark, similar to her performance in 2023 when she clocked 50.51 seconds at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium.This version reads more naturally in English sports media style than a literal translation and is suitable for publication or distribution to international media.