Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel 2023 to conclude on Sunday

Doha: The Argentine duo of Franco Stupaczuk and Martin di Nenno, the second seeds, yesterday staged a dramatic comeback victory against fifth seeds Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia to book their place in the final of the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel 2023. Stupaczuk and di Nenno, who began their partnership this season, defeated their opponents 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 to confirm their place in the final of the six-day tournament, where they will be challenged by fourth-seeds Fernando Belasteguín and Carlos Daniel Gutiérrez, who edged Jeronimo González and Álejandro Ruiz Granados, the seventh seeds, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the other interesting semifinal clash of the day. González and Granados created one of the greatest upsets of the tournament on Friday, knocking out world No. 1 and tournament top seeds Alejandro Galán and Juan Lebrón in the quarterfinals. While today's clash is the second successive final in Doha for di Nenno, who won last year's title while he was partnered with Francisco Navarro, it is however, the first appearance in the final for Stupaczuk. Stupaczuk and di Nenno, who have a combined 14,915 Team Points between them, had defeated Javier Garrido and Federico Chingotto, the sixth seeds, in straight sets in the quarterfinals en route to their last-four clash with Coello and Tapia. Belasteguín and Gutiérrez, on the other hand, have a combined 13,530 Team Points between them and will be hoping to be the winners of the €525,000 total prize money as against their higher-ranked opponents. Premier Padel is the official global padel tour, governed by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and backed by the Professional Padel Association (PPA) and Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).  

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad crowns winners of Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix

Doha: H.E President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of Al Shaqab Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners of the Longine's Global Champions Grand Prix Doha held in Longines outdoor arena at Al Shaqab on Saturday. Germany's Philipp Weishaupt astride nine-year-old mare Just Be Gentle secured an impressive victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, while his countryman Christian Kukuk, finished second and Frenchman Simon Destre came in the third place. Event Director Omar Al Mannai, spoke of the competitive nature of the Longines Global Champions Tour, particularly at the season opener in Doha: "Always the Longines Global Champions Tour expectation is really high you never know who can win. We are very glad to host this event for the past 16 years. It has been a tough Grand Prix but the three winners did a great job and it has once again been an exciting competition," he said. "This is a very, very special moment. Winning a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix is special but even more so with this young mare. We always put our best horses in the league and we won that which was already incredible so to put this one in the Grand Prix I was never expecting to jump clear let alone win. These unexpected wins are the nicest ones so I am over the moon right now," said Weishaupt. Christian Kukuk said: "It is quite an emotional second place today. I am definitely more smiling than crying today about coming second. I was last to go and I had to give everything. I am so happy for our team." Simon Destre praised the next-level show: "This is always one of my favourite shows of the season. Thank you to everyone for making this possible as all the facilities here, especially for the horses are fantastic." 39 riders started in the LGCT Grand Prix of Doha, and in a true display of the level of both horses and riders on the tour, over 12 combinations took to the arena in round 2. In what looked like a rocky start to the round 1, clear rounds started to flow. A dramatic, fast and exhilarating jump-off resulted in 7 double clear rounds over the challenging but jumpable Uliano Vezzani built track. (QNA)  

QOC organizes workshop on Qatar National Vision 2030

DOHA – The Human Resources and Administrative Services Department of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has organized  a one-day educational workshop for employees about the key pillars and  objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 at  QOC Headquarters. The workshop was attended by the Director of Human Resources and Administrative Department , Mrs. Maryam Mohammed Al-Kuwari,  HR heads of sections and  units along with a number of  employees from different  QOC departments  . Dr. Haya Al-Farhud Al Midadi – senior Qatari human resources consultant and workshop speaker ,  has given a brief presentation  about  Qatar history, story of the vision, how and when the vision came out, vision text, Qatar National Vision pillars and projects that being accomplished so far , challenges related to the vision and finally  how each organization can help achieving objectives of the vision.  Most notably, the Qatar National Vision 2030 stands on four key pillars:   human development, social development, economical development, and environment development. In this regard, Dr.  has focused in the importance of human element to build up a safer  and healthier society. These workshop objectives  are  in tune with  the QOC Human Resources & Administrative Services Department’s  strategic goal that  states :” Create  attractive and  ideal working environment for  better talents and experiences”.  

Colorful Ceremony marks ISSF World Cup Shotgun Doha 2023 Opening

DOHA -  The start of the ISSF World Cup Shotgun - Doha 2023 was marked by a colourful ceremony held at the Lusail International Shooting Complex, under the auspices of Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, on Sunday.  The opening ceremony was attended by First Vice-President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Al Buenain, President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association and Director of the Championship Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr, and the Secretary-General of the International Shooting Sport Federation Willy Grill.  The World Cup’s (March 5-12) qualification rounds in the trap and skeet events for men and women begin Monday, and it sees the participation of 465 athletes from 63 countries including 30 Olympic athletes.  

González/Granados send world No. 1 Galán/Lebron packing

Doha- After four days of excitement on the courts of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel 2023 is now down to the last four pairs, with Jeronimo González and Álejandro Ruiz Granados, the seventh seeds, set to face fourth-seeds Fernando Belasteguín and Carlos Daniel Gutiérrez while fifth seeds Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia will square up against Franco Stupaczuk and Martin di Nenno, the second seeds. Gonzále and Granados scripted the major upsets of this tournament by far yesterday as they knocked out the world’s No. 1 and tournament top-seeds Alejandro Galán and Juan Lebrón, last year’s finalists, 6-4, 7-6 (2), in 91 minutes to advance into the last-four. The 20-year-old Coello and his 23-year-old partner, Tapia, overcame Maximiliano Sanchez Aguero and Lucas Campagnolo, the ninth seeds, 6-4, 6-3, in one hour and 22 minutes in the first match of the day. The Spanish/Argentinian duo have been in sensational form at the tournament. In the Round of 32, they defeated qualifiers Inigo Jofre and Luis H. Quesada in straight sets before knocking out Ramiro Moyano and Xisco Gil 6-2, 6-3 in the Round of 16 en route to the quarterfinals. As for Belasteguín and Gutiérrez, their tickets to the semifinals came on the back of a hard-fought victory against Pablo Lima and Jorge Nieto Ruiz, the eight-seeds, whom they defeated 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the last match of the night.  

Kukuk, Weishauppt lead Riesenbeck to GCL victory

Doha- Team Riesenbeck International took the opening honours of the Global Champions League at the buzzing Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. Heavyweights Christian Kukuk and Philipp Weishauppt took full advantage of the extraordinary horsepower of Coby and Mumbai with impressive rounds to seal the coveted first win of the season and took the lion’s share of the €300,000 prize money. St Tropez Pirates, featuring brand new signings Simon Delestre and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli also collected just four faults, with an accumulated time of just over a second slower than the winning team, which earned themselves a well-deserved runner-up place. A mix of team rivalry and competitive spirit shone through with Valkenswaard United finishing in an impressive third, with returning riders Marcus Ehning aboard the on-form Stargold, and John Whitaker and Equine America Unick du Francport leading the team to the final spot on the podium. It has been mixed emotions for the Riesenbeck International squad this week as team rider and owner Ludger Beerbaum was taken to hospital on Thursday after a fall. Weishauppt explained: “We are delighted with the win today. We have had ups and downs this week. I was not supposed to jump today at all – Coby was meant to have a day off and Ludger was supposed to ride but unfortunately he ended up in hospital last night. This win was for Ludger and we wish him a speedy recovery. For sure he is watching from the hospital now so we wish him all the best.” Teammate Kukuk added: “My strategy was just to jump a clear round. In the first round, I felt we were already fast and we ended up eighth place individually without even trying to be fast. In the second round, I was like wow when we crossed the finish line. I am impressed with how fast Mumbai is. It is a very good day for us. Now we have an evening to celebrate!” With the unveiling of the new weekend format. Riders were challenged by GCL’s Round 1 and Round 2 being back-to-back, rather than the traditional two-day rollout. “The new format with both rounds in one day and I thought it was great,” Weishauppt approved. After GCL Round 1, six teams entered the arena for Round 2 with a clean score sheet. Four teams took to Round 2 bringing in just four faults, leaving little to no room for error for the leading teams. Competition favourites Shanghai Swans star striker Max Khuner dramatically put them out of contention when his horse Eic Cooley Jump the Q collected 12 faults in the second round, leaving teammate Christian Ahlmann and Solid Gold’s double clear void of contention. As the first double clear rounds entered, Rome Gladiators had just one pole in hand. Represented by the Breen brothers, Shane and Trevor, ultimately left the arena on an uncharacteristic 19 faults from Trevor’s homebred mount Highland President, and four faults from Shane’s Cuick Star Kervec. Next, Stockholm Hearts entered the arena. Switching horses for Round 2, Malin Baryard-Johnson took to the Uliano Vezzani built course aboard 2022’s highest performing GCL horse, H&M Indiana. Lilly Attwood and Calvaro’s Up To Date found the last line challenging with the last three fences falling, Leaving 2022’s GCL of Doha winners on 16 faults. No team changes for German-based team, Riesenbeck International, proved a success with anchor riders Kukuk posting a double clear and Weishaput collecting just one rail. Leaving all to play for as the final three teams entered the arena, the suspense was high. A single rail from Valkenswaard’s United John Whitaker saw the iconic duo of Whitaker and Marcus Ehning sit in third with just one team to go. Enter: Istanbul Warriors. Heading into Round 2 in pole position, but, Round 2 proved a challenge for Omer Karaveli and Abdel Said. With one day of competition left, for the opening leg of the 2023 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL Series, today will see the ultimate individual challenge – Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha – take place from 6pm local time. Earlier, Greek Ioli Mytilineou started the outdoor and GCL Season with a bang and took home the first victory on L’Artiste de Toxandria. The 1.55m class was ridden directly on time with 38 combinations who came to try their luck. Mytilineou was the third combination to start on L’Artiste de Toxandria (v. Toulon). The pair set the pace and finished in a fast time of 66.79 which put them on top very early on in the Class. No other combination was able to do better and the victory went to Greek rider. Efe Siyahi came very close and crossed the finish on Calvino in a time of 67.28. With 69.50 on the clock, Jur Vrieling finished on Griffin van de Heffinck and was third.