Team Qatar Handball Team Claim Silver Medal at GCC Games Doha 2026

Doha: Team Qatar handball team secured the silver medal after defeating Saudi Arabia 32-24 in the decisive match held yesterday evening at Duhail Sports Hall, in the closing event of the handball competitions at the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026, in front of a strong crowd attendance.Team Qatar imposed complete control over the match from the opening minutes thanks to their solid defensive organisation and fast counterattacks, which disrupted the Saudi side. Qatar’s players ended the first half with an eight-goal advantage at 19-11 before continuing their strong display in the second half.The coaching staff successfully rotated players while maintaining high physical intensity and concentration, allowing Team Qatar to secure a comfortable victory and raise their tally to six points, confirming second place and the silver medal behind Bahrain, who topped the standings with a perfect eight points to win gold. Saudi Arabia finished third with four points to claim bronze.In a special gesture of appreciation during halftime, the Organising Committee of the 4th GCC Games honoured the official sponsors and strategic partners of the tournament in recognition of their vital logistical and financial support, which contributed directly to the success of the major Gulf event and its outstanding organisation.The Organising Committee stressed that these successful partnerships reinforce Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its distinguished organisational reputation as a leading regional and international destination for hosting major sporting events and championships, thanks to its world-class facilities and highly qualified national expertise.The final match was attended by several senior sports officials and dignitaries from across the GCC countries, led by H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Ahmed Al Shaabi, President of the Qatar Handball Association, alongside several Gulf federation presidents, including Ali Ishaqi, President of the Bahrain Handball Association, Hassan bin Nasser Hilal, President of the Saudi Handball Federation, and Shabib Al Hajri, President of the Kuwait Handball Association.Also present in the official stand were Mohammed Al Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, Majdi Mirza, Secretary-General of the Bahrain Handball Association, and Najla Al Khayarin, Head of the Qatar Delegation at the Games.The match was also attended by an official delegation from the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Saudi Olympic Committee, in addition to representatives of GCC national handball federations.Following the final whistle, the official medal ceremony took place in a festive atmosphere, amid widespread Gulf praise for Qatar’s exceptional organisation of the 4th GCC Games. 

Team Qatar Shooters and Archers Dominate GCC Games with 26-Medal Haul

Doha: The shooting and archery competitions at the Lusail International Shooting Complex concluded with a spectacular finish at the 4th GCC Games Doha 2026, as Team Qatar athletes continued their dominance on the podium by securing six additional medals — three gold and three bronze — to raise their historic overall tally to 26 medals.The thrilling final rounds witnessed Team Qatar securing its first major gold medal in the Compound Mixed Team event through the outstanding duo of Hamad Al Yafei and Aisha Al Saei, who delivered a highly accurate and composed performance to finish ahead of the UAE pair Jumana Al Najjar and Shehab Al Saadi, who claimed silver, while Kuwait’s Hanan Al Mayas and Abdullah Mal Allah secured bronze.Team Qatar also imposed its dominance in the Olympic Recurve Mixed Team event, where Ahmed Al Sada and Reem Al Saei won gold after a dramatic final against Saudi Arabia’s Hessa Al Saree and Mansour Al Alawi, who claimed silver. The UAE duo of Hessa Al Awadhi and Omar Al Ali secured bronze.In the women’s Olympic Recurve individual event, Team Qatar star Reem Al Saei claimed gold after another dominant performance, ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Safana Al Ahmadi, who won silver, while Hessa Al Saree secured bronze.In the men’s Olympic Recurve event, UAE athlete Omar Al Ali won gold, Saudi Arabia’s Mansour Al Alawi claimed silver, and Abdulrahman Al Mousa secured bronze.The women’s Compound individual event saw UAE athlete Amna Al Awadhi claim gold ahead of compatriot Jumana Al Najjar, while Team Qatar athlete Aisha Al Saei won bronze.In the men’s Compound individual event, Saudi Arabia’s Bilal Al Awadhi won gold, Kuwait’s Abdullah Mal Allah secured silver, and the UAE’s Shehab Al Saadi claimed bronze.Team Qatar’s success also extended to the team events, as the men’s Compound team trio of Abdulaziz Al Abbadi, Hamad Al Yafei, and Omar Laram secured bronze behind Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Meanwhile, Team Qatar women’s Olympic Recurve trio of Maha Abdulhai, Reem Al Saei, and Haya Al Hajri also claimed bronze, while Saudi Arabia won gold and the UAE secured silver.Following the conclusion of the competitions, H.E. Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr, President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association, and Jassim Shaheen Al Sulaiti, Secretary-General of the Federation, alongside GCC sports officials and delegation representatives, crowned the winners amid celebratory scenes and widespread praise for the outstanding organisation of the tournament.With this exceptional achievement, Team Qatar shooting and archery extended its lead at the top of the overall standings with 26 medals — including 12 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze medals — ahead of Saudi Arabia in second place with 16 medals, followed by the UAE with 18 medals. Kuwait finished fourth with 10 medals, Bahrain fifth with 12 medals, and Oman sixth with 6 medals. 

Doha Diamond League Meeting Set for June 19 at Qatar Sports Club

Doha: The Qatar Athletics Federation has announced that the Doha Diamond League Meeting will take place at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar Sports Club on June 19, instead of Khalifa International Stadium.The federation said through its official social media accounts that the meeting will feature a number of leading Olympic and world medalists, as well as record holders in track and field events, competing across 14 events for both men and women.The federation also confirmed the participation of Qatar’s Olympic and world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim in the high jump competition, marking his return to the Doha meeting after an absence of two seasons due to injury.The Diamond League Board had earlier announced the participation of Armand Duplantis, world record holder in pole vault and winner of the 2025 Diamond Trophy, alongside several prominent athletes in the same event.The Doha meeting is considered one of the most important stops on the international athletics calendar due to its high technical and organizational standards, attracting many of the world’s top athletes each season.This year’s Doha Diamond League program includes the 100m, 200m, 110m hurdles, 3000m steeplechase, 400m hurdles, 800m, 400m, 1500m, and 5000m races, in addition to pole vault, high jump, javelin throw, and triple jump events for both men and women. 

Qatar Olympic Committee Organizes Paralympic Challenge Day 2026

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee organized the 2026 Paralympic Challenge Day for people with disabilities on Wednesday in cooperation with Awsaj Academy, part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre University Education, at the academy’s sports hall, in a distinguished sporting and educational atmosphere aimed at promoting the values of challenge and social inclusion.The program featured a number of recognized Paralympic sports and competitions, including wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, and sitting volleyball, in addition to handcycling simulations and blindfold races. These activities provided students with an opportunity to learn about Paralympic sports while fostering teamwork and positive interaction among participants.Saeeda Al Abdullah, Event Director from the Qatar Olympic Committee, expressed her sincere appreciation to all participants in the program, emphasizing that the event’s great success was the result of fruitful cooperation with Awsaj Academy and the dedicated efforts made by everyone involved to achieve its sporting and humanitarian objectives.She said: “At the Qatar Olympic Committee, we look forward to continuing this strategic and constructive cooperation in the future and to launching innovative initiatives that contribute to strengthening social responsibility and community participation, while supporting meaningful activities that serve and inspire younger generations and reinforce the values of determination, challenge, and respect among students.”For his part, Mr. Mohammed Al Janahi, Elementary School Principal at Awsaj Academy, stressed that organizing such purposeful sporting events reflects the importance of promoting the values of inclusion and cooperation, while empowering all students to participate actively within the school community.He praised the important role played by the Qatar Olympic Committee in supporting sporting and humanitarian initiatives that contribute to raising awareness of Paralympic sports and promoting a culture of respect and appreciation for the abilities of individuals with different needs. He added that such community partnerships leave a deep educational and humanitarian impact on students and contribute to building a more aware and socially engaged generation. 

Team Qatar Karate Athletes Win Five Medals at GCC Games Doha 2026

Doha: Team Qatar karate athletes won five medals today — one gold, three silver, and one bronze — at the 4th GCC Games currently taking place in Doha and concluding tomorrow, Friday.Team Qatar’s gold medal was secured by Yaman Ashraf in the under-67kg category after defeating Saudi Arabia’s Saad Al Saif 10-9 in the final, while the Saudi athlete claimed silver. The bronze medals went to the UAE’s Rashid Al Suraidi and Kuwait’s Mohammed Al Otaibi.In the under-60kg category, Team Qatar athlete Mustafa Abdulrahman won the silver medal, while Kuwait’s Ali Al Ajmi claimed gold. The bronze medals were awarded to Saudi Arabia’s Ali Al Aryani and the UAE’s Ibrahim Bakhit.In the under-84kg category, Team Qatar athlete Abdullah Rashid secured silver, while Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Al Malki won gold. The bronze medals went to the UAE’s Ali Al Ali and Kuwait’s Mohammed Hassan.In the over-84kg category, Team Qatar athlete Khalid Samir won silver, while Saudi Arabia’s Anas Al Zahrani secured gold. The bronze medals were claimed by the UAE’s Saif Al Qaidi and Kuwait’s Mohammed Al Majadi.Finally, in the under-75kg category, Team Qatar athlete Youssef Riyadh secured bronze, alongside the UAE’s Ali Youssef, while Kuwait’s Omar Al Janai won gold and Saudi Arabia’s Ali Mejari claimed silver.Following the conclusion of the competitions, the medal ceremony was attended by Eid Ali Al Marikhi, President of the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation, Rashid Al Hajri, Assistant Secretary-General of the Federation, Abdullah Shaaban, Head of the Kuwaiti Delegation, Abdulilah Al Shaya, Secretary-General of the Saudi Karate Federation, and Turki Al Bukhari, Board Member of the Saudi Federation.

Team Qatar Handball to Face Saudi Arabia at GCC Games Doha 2026

Doha:  Team Qatar handball will face Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Friday, in the final round of the 4th GCC Games Doha 2026.Team Qatar are aiming to secure victory and claim the silver medal, as they currently occupy second place in the overall standings with four points, earned through victories over the UAE (28-20) and Kuwait (34-19), before suffering a defeat to Bahrain (24-19).Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, sit in third place behind Team Qatar on goal difference, also with four points, having defeated the UAE (34-21) and Kuwait (25-23), while losing to Bahrain (36-25).Bahrain have already secured the gold medal after defeating the UAE today 31-20 to raise their tally to eight points at the top of the standings. The UAE are fourth with two points, while Kuwait remain fifth without any points.The medal ceremony will take place tomorrow, Friday, following the conclusion of the match between Team Qatar and Saudi Arabia at Duhail Sports Hall, marking the end of the handball competitions at GCC Games Doha 2026.It is worth noting that Team Qatar handball won the gold medal at the previous edition of the GCC Games held in Kuwait in 2022.