Sheikh Joaan Lauds Incredible Success of Ooredoo Major Padel Championship

DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Committee President, H.E  Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has described on Wednesday 2023 Ooredoo Qatar Major Padel Championship as one of the most successful international events  of Padel. In his welcoming message to  the  championship, Sheikh Joaan said “ This ongoing competition  like other sport,  is  bringing  together world best players " “ On this occasion, we extend our  thanks and gratitude to HH the Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani for his continuous support to  Qatar sports, such support   has turned  our country  into a hub of annual major world sport events” confirmed Sheikh Joaan. H.E Shiekh Joaan pointed out that by hosting Ooredoo Qatar Major  Padel Championship, we meet  the vision of  Qatar Olympic Committee:  “ To become a leading nation in bringing the world together through sustainable sport development”. H.E Sheikh Joaan said the Qatar Olympic Committee is committed to spare no effort in  providing  the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation with full support , keeping them capable to host  world class sport events and promoting  Qatar’s image and reputation worldwide. H.E QOC President  has wished good luck to  all players and participants and pleasant stay for all the  guests in Doha, capital of global sports.

World and homegrown stars to seek glory in ISSF World Cup Shotgun Doha 2023

DOHA -Top shooters from around the world will once again descend at the Lusail Shooting Complex in Qatar to vie for the top honours in the ten-day (March 4-13) exciting ISSF World Cup Shotgun Doha 2023. The championship, organized by the Qatar Shooting & Archery Association (QSAA) under the auspices of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has attracted 466 shooters from 63 nations. The ISSF World Cup Shotgun Doha 2023 is second of a series of 12 tournaments being held in 11 countries. Announcing the event at a press conference on Thursday, Deputy General Manager of the Championship Jassim Shaheen Al Sulaiti said that QSAA and the Lusail Shooting Complex is all set to host the high-profile tournament. “Lusail shooting range is ready to host this World Cup. We have been preparing for it for the last three months. We hosted the Qatar Open a few weeks ago as preparation and to see how ready we are for this competition. And we hope that we can deliver a good competition and make everyone proud,” he said. Al Saulaiti added: “ISSF World Cup Shotgun Doha 2023 is one of 12 tournaments which take place around the world. The finals will take place in December. Gold medalists from each World Cup during the season will play in the final. This World Cup doesn’t serve as a qualification round for the Olympic Games, but it help players get their ratings up so they can win the qualification to the Olympics by number of points,” Al Sulaiti said. Also present on the occasion were Abdullah Ali Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Technical Committee,and Hamad Yousef Al Obaidly, Chairman of the Media Committee. Hosts Qatar, who will have five shooters in each of the skeet and trap categories for men and women, are aiming for for a number of podium finishes, said Al Sulaiti. Qatar’s Olympian Rashid Al Athba and female shooter Reem Al Sharshani are among the top draws. “The expectation of Qatari shooters at home and outside home is always, always to be on the podium. Especially, we have Reem Al Sharshani who just won a silver medal at the recent Asian Championships. One of our shooters, Al Athba has already qualified for the Olympics and has also won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Croatia few months ago. We have another shooter who got fourth in the World Championship. We are always on the podium or close to the podium, so when it’s at home here, we always hope to get the best result possible,” stressed Al Sulaiti. “Qatari shooters are actually having a very heavy schedule since the last month. They played in five competitions. So they are getting ready for the Asian Games which will be hosted by Qatar and for the Olympics in Paris next year. The Asian Games is very important. It’s the Olympics of Asia. So we love to compete with our neighbours and it’s always a fun and good environment to be in,” Al Sulaiti added.  

Stage set for Arab Judo Championships

DOHA - The Arab Judo Championships for Men and Women will take place today and tomorow at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Al Sadd with participation of 13 country. Secretary General of the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation, Eid Almuraikhi, confirmed in a press conference yesterday that all preparations for the launch of the championship have been completed. He extended his thanks to the Arab Judo Confederation for its confidence in the Qatar Federation to host the tournament, noting that this is the first time that Qatar hosts an Arab championship in the judo. Almuraikhi said organising of the Arab Judo Championships comes as part of preparations to host the World Judo Championships (Doha 2023), For his part, Secretary General of the Arab Judo Confederation Abdel Fattah Al Qaisi praised the efforts of the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation for the success of the Arab Championship for men and women, and said that the championship is the first activity of the Arab Confederation in the current year.

Masterful Musa claims telling 5* win on LGCT Doha 2023 opening day

DOHA - The opening day of the three-day Longines Global Champions Tour Doha 2023 kicked off in spectacular style with 53 riders from 19 different countries taking to Al Shaqab’s incredible Longines Arena on Thursday. Competition is fierce and spectators were treated to a thrilling display of sport and horsemanship throughout the day. LGCT of Doha Day 1 saw a host of classes throughout the day where the best of 3* and 5* riders, coupled with some of the most impressive young talent from Qatar in the Children’s National Class take to Al Shaqab’s Longines Arena. The CSI 5* 1.45m speed class saw a collection of blistering times as riders fought it out for top podium position. Ultimately taking the win Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa aboard Carte de Blue PS Marathon posted a time of 55.62 seconds, 2.41 seconds ahead of Emanuele Gaudiano and Crack Balou. Rounding out the podium in third place was young talent Lily Attwood with her Karibou Horta, just 0.08 seconds behind Gaudiano in second. Speaking of his win, Musa commented on his impressive partner in Carte de Blue PS Marathon: “I am really happy, he jumped amazing today. My horse is natural at faster… Emmanuel he was fast, and usually my horse makes the same strides in the lines as him, but today my horse was a little bit faster.” Kicking off the season in style, Lily Attwood commented on her first LGCT 5* podium finish this year: “It’s so exciting to be here in Doha, Al Shaqab is an incredible venue with brilliant facilities – it is a spectacular show to be part of. My horses are jumping fantastically, and I can’t for the GCL competition tomorrow”. With 17 horse and rider combinations leaving all rails standing around the flowing Ulliano Vezzani built track, the pressure was on. Just over 10 seconds separated the top 10 riders, providing a masterclass on tactics and sportsmanship for spectators from many unique dining experiences and hospitality locations around the arena. The first round of the GCL team competition will begin at 3pm on Friday with all teams looking to secure a coveted podium position to grant themselves a head start for the 2023 season. Saturday will see the highly anticipated Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha kick off at 6pm, with riders vying for the win as well as the first golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. With the new weekend format introduced in Doha, the 16-team strong starting grid are in the final stages of their preparations ahead of Friday’s competition. Following his win in the CSI 3* 2 Phase 1.45m earlier on Thursday Riyadh Blue’s Ramsy Al Dulhami spoke of his team’s debut season: “It is great to be back at the Longines Global Champions Tour, the best shows in the world. We are off to a good start with today’s win. For the GCL teams league, Riyadh Blue is a new team this year, and we are going to start slow and build as the season progresses.” Results CSI5* -Against the clock; Height: 1.45 m 1. Horse: Carte de Blue PS Marathon; Rider: Francisco José Mesquita Musa (BRA); Time 55.52 secs; Prize money: €6,550 2. Crack Balou; Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA); 57.93 secs; €5,240 3. Karibou Horta; Lily Attwood (GBR); 58.01 secs; €3930 CSI5* two phases; Height: 1.45m 1. Horse: Cornets Iberio; Rider: Denis Lynch (IRL); Time: 25.43 secs; Prize money: €2200 2. Calizi; Henrik von Eckermann (SWE); 27.43 secs; €1760 3. Toulini Olympic; Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS); 30.28 secs; €1320 CSI3* two phases; Height: 1.45m 1. Horse: Manola LS la Silla; Rider: Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) Time: 23.95 secs; Prize money: €8646 2. I; Ali Al Khorafi (KUW); 25.60 secs; €5240 3. Happyness; Ibrahim Hani Bisharat (JOR); 25.94 secs; €3930 CSI3* Two phases special; Height: 1.35m 1. Horse: D Saucedo; Rider: Mohammed Saeed Haidan (QAT); 33.91 secs; €1250 2. Steyburn; Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (QAT); 34.62 secs; €1000 3. Ambre de Beaufour; Saeed Hamad Juma(QAT) 34.78 secs; €750  

Goodyear takes one-shot lead at Qatar Open Amateur golf C’ship

DOHA - England’s Reece Goodyear surged into one-shot lead after the opening round of 37th edition Qatar Open AmateurGolf Championship that got underway at Doha Golf Club on Thursday. Goodyear shot an even-par 72 as golfers struggled on a windy course, giving away most strokes on a fast green. South-Korea born Russian Daniil Sokolov – a Doha resident – who is only 12 years old also got off to a fine start as he sits on joint second with Welsh player Joe Jones, returning with a card of one-over-par 73, hoping to take lead in the second round. Another Welshman James Nash emerged third with two-over-par 74 in the opening round followed by Dinesh Kumar, Sam Epstein and Myles Taylor, who carded 75 on the inaugural day. Pakistan’s Omar Khalid Hussain, Matias Camberos, Greg McClure, Jake Wiltshire and Phil Park were joint fifth with identical cards of 76 – four strokes behind leader Goodyear. Qatar’s Saleh Ali Al Kaabi and Ali Al Shahrani – winner of the 2021 edition – shot five-over-par 77 on the first day. A total of 126 players including nine Qatari golfers are taking part in the event that offers a coveted Commercial Bank Qatar Masters berth to the winner. Top Scores: 1: 72: Reece Goodyear; 73: Joe Jones, Daniil Sokolov; 74: James Nash; 75: Dinesh Kumar, Sam Epstein, Myles Taylor; 76: Greg McClure, Matias Camberos, Omar Khalid, Jake Wiltshire, Phill Park.  

Qatar’s Best Chase Glory at Senior Arab Judo Championships – Doha 2023 in Al Sadd

Doha– Qatar’s leading judokas will continue their preparations for the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023 when they bid for regional glory at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Al Sadd, this weekend. The Senior Arab Judo Championships – Doha 2023 take place on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 at the same state-of-the-art arena that will host the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023 in May. Around 300 judokas are expected with participants entering from Qatar, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Djibouti, Bahrain, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Tunisia, Kuwait, Syria, and Lebanon in action. The event will be used as a test event for the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023, which takes place from May 7-14. Abdulhadi Almarri, Marketing, Communication, Opening & Closing Ceremonies Committee Director for the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023 said: “We are proud to have been awarded the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023, and this weekend provides the perfect test event to prepare for it. Delegates from the International Judo Federation will be attending, and we are confident it will be a hugely successful championship.” Team Qatar has announced the six Judoka who will represent the country at the upcoming Senior Arab Judo Championships - Doha 2023. The selected athletes and their weight categories are: Mohammed Rabahi (81 kg), Khalil Rabahi (81 kg), Rida Nafoui (100 kg), Saleha Al-Badi (57 kg), Fatina Bouqehous (52 kg), and Kholoud Al Kuwari (78 kg). The action gets under way on Friday at 2pm, and 1pm on Saturday. On both days, medal ceremonies will take place at 5pm. Entrance to the event is free of charge.