QOC celebrates 10th edition of National Sport Day virtually and launches its new website

Doha- The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) celebrated the 10th edition of National Sport Day on Tuesday but this year's celebrations were held virtually in light of the protective measures taken by the state of Qatar to curb the spread of Coronavirus. The QOC held a number of virtual awareness and educational events to promote an active lifestyle nationwide and highlight the important role of sport in creating a healthy community. Team Qatar athletes who qualified to Tokyo 2020 Olympics have shared their thoughts about this year's edition of National Sport Day as High Jump World Champion Mutaz Barshim said " This year’s NSD is a special occasion marking the 10th edition. It makes me reflect on my career over the past decades and how I wouldn’t achieve what I have achieved without the support of my country” For his part, Abdulrahman Samba said “National Sport day is a great celebration of sport in Qatar, and on this day I hope more and more youngsters spend the day being active and engaging in a new sport” Fares Hassouna invited all the community members to try weightlifting. “I invite everyone to try out weightlifting on National Sport Day this year! It is a fantastic sport that made me who I am today -  a two time world silver medalist,  and an Asian Games silver medalist" he said. Also, on this occasion, the QOC have launched its new website to keep up with the latest technology. The QOC website is an important platform for the Qatari Sport and a reliable source of information and news of Team Qatar, Sports Federations and Sports Committees in addition to the upcoming sports events in the state of Qatar.  

Nine of World's top-ten confirmed for Qatar Total Open 2021

Doha-Tennis lovers are in for a splendid time as nine of the World's top-ten players have confirmed their participation at this year's Qatar Total Open to be held from March 1 to 6 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha. Except for the World No. 3 and three-time Grand Slam winner, Naomi Osaka of Japan, all the superstars in the upper echelon of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), led by World No.1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia,will be strutting their stuff in Doha - in what promises to be one of the best tournament in the region so far. Joining the 2019 French Open champion Barty at the annual WTA Tour Premier tournament are world second-ranked Simona Halep, the 2014 champion, and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. Others on the cards for the 19th edition of the annual tournament are 2019 Wimbledon Open semi-finalist Elina Svitolina, 2017 champion Karolina Pliskova, 2020 champion Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 champion Petra Kvitova,2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and Kiki Bertens, the 2016 French Open semi-finalist. The 24-year-old Barty, who Petra Kvitova stopped in last year's semi-finals, will be hoping to lay her hands on the golden falcon trophy for the first time with her second appearance in Doha. Barty, a former cricketer who became the second Australian to capture the WTA Finals crown following 1974 and 1976 champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and the fifth player to win the tournament as a debutante,is having her second successive season on the top of the WTA rankings. She secured the ninth title of her professional career on Sunday at the Yarra Valley Classic after defeating Spain's Garbine Muguruza in straight sets. Since the tournament began in 2001, only three players - Anastasia Myskina (2003, 2004), Maria Sharapova (2005, 2008) and Victoria Azarenka (2012, 2013) – have had the privilege of lifting the trophy on morethan one occasion. "We are very excited with the array of stars on parade at this year's tournament, which is one of the strongest. Having nine out of the ten top stars confirmed for this tournament indicates the importance they'veplaced on the Qatar Total Open. The tournament has always lived to its promise of bringing the best of tennis to sports lovers in Doha, and we look forward to another exciting time this year as well. We cannot wait enough to welcome all the stars come March,"Tariq Zainal, QTF Secretary-General, said. In all, a total of 32 players, including four qualifiers, are expected to feature in the singlesevent of the WTA Premier 5 tournament while 16 teams will slug it out in the doubles. Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi said, "Another round of exciting tennis is here, and we are happy to be hosting the World's best players in Doha again. We are delighted with the superstars' interests, whichis a testimony to the wonderful hospitality they've always enjoyed in Doha - the home of hospitality. We look forward to welcoming everyone to this exciting tournament come March."  

Stage set for Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship

Doha, February 02, 2021 - Qatar Golf Association announced Monday that the 35th edition of Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship will take place from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27. Organized by the Qatar Golf Association, the Championship has come a long way since its inception in 1983, when it was contested over a sand course in Umm Said. This year's edition will only see players inside Qatar participate, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The competition's winner will qualify to Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2021.  

QOC, Msheireb Properties sign partnership agreement

Doha, February 02, 2021 -The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Qatar’s leading sustainable properties developer Msheireb Properties have signed a partnership agreement to boost the mutual cooperation between the two parties. The QOC Secretary General HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and Msheireb Properties Acting CEO Ali Al Kuwari signed the agreement. The agreement will strengthen the cooperation between the QOC and Msheireb Properties in several areas including sports, institutional and community fields. It will also promote the culture of practicing sports in Qatar. After signing the agreement, the QOC Secretary General HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, said: "Msheireb is a modern, smart and sustainable model that combines the Qatari urban identity with modern technology and presents them in a way that lives up to needs of current era. In the QOC, we aim to give Msheireb a sporting character to Msheireb Downtown Doha by holding sports activities and events that suit different community groups." He also added that the agreement reflects the close and continuous cooperation between the QOC and Msheireb Properties as the QOC held some important events at Barahat Msheireb including 2019 Sports Excellence Day, 2020 National Sport Day and honoring the ceremony of 2030 Asian Games bid committee members. HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain thanked the officials of Msheireb Properties and wished the newly signed partnership agreement widen the horizons of cooperation between the QOC and Msheireb Properties. Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO, Msheireb Properties stated: “Msheireb Properties is proud of the partnership with Qatar Olympic Committee. We are confident that this mutual collaboration will have a positive impact on the two parties and our community in Qatar. We thank our partners for the big effort and programs that aim to serve our people and enhance the position of Qatar as a global sports destination”. “Msheireb Downtown Doha is a distinctive urban landmark in the heart of Doha. It will offer spacious space for hosting Qatar Olympic Committee’s events. This partnership is a good opportunity to enhance tourist and social aspects in the city and will add exciting ambience along with cultural and art events”.

Aamal QPSC, Ibin Ajayan Projects sign an agreement with QOC to support Team Qatar athletes

Doha, January 31, 2021-The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has signed an agreement with Aamal QPSC and Ibin Ajayan Projects under which the two companies will provide financial support to the QOC's elite Athletes Program. The signing ceremony was attended by the QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of ‏Aamal QPSC HE ‏Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, and Chairman of Ibin Ajayan Projects Mr. ‏Mohammed Bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi.  The support of the two companies will help the QOC provide the optimal atmosphere to prepare elite athletes for the upcoming major sports events. The QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani thanked Aamal QPSC and Ibin Ajayan Projects and lauded their valuable contribution to supporting elite athletes which will be positively reflected in their participation in the upcoming events including Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. HE Sheikh Joaan also stressed the important role of private sector in supporting the Qatari sport and added that national companies are playing an important role in the sports movement in light of their social responsibility and commitment to raise the level of Qatari athletes and prepare them for upcoming sports events. Sheikh Joaan also reaffirmed that the QOC will do whatever it takes to support the Qatari national teams to help them add to their glorious list of achievements. On this occasion, Chairman of ‏Aamal QPSC HE ‏Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani said "It's my pleasure attend the signing ceremony of this agreement which will allow Aamal QPSC support Team Qatar athletes, so we hope team Qatar can reach new levels of success in the upcoming periods in light of the unlimited support of our government to sport and public health." "In Aamal QPSC, we understand the crucial role of sport in developing local communities, so we hope this support which comes in light of our social responsibility, achieve its goals and help our athletes reach new horizons" he added. For his part, Chairman of Ibin Ajayan Projects Mr. ‏Mohammed Bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi said, "We are proud of our contribution to supporting team Qatar athletes as we trust our team and support provided by the government to develop sport in the state of Qatar." "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the QOC and its officials for their efforts to support Team Qatar and help their athletes achieve these honorable results at all international sports events in which they have participated." He added. The QOC's elite athletes program is one of the programs adopted by the QOC to support the Qatari athletes. The program targets elite athletes who have accomplished honorable achievements on Olympic, continental and world levels to encourage them maintain their levels.  

Qatar's Rashid Saleh Wins Skeet's Gold at Morocco Shotgun Grand Prix

Rabat, January 31 (QNA) - Qatar's Rashid Saleh Al Athba won the gold medal of skeet competition at Morocco Shotgun Grand Prix. Under the supervision of International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), the event is being organized in Moroccan city of Tetouan till February 6. Rashid Saleh Al Athba was third when he entered the final of the competition. He participated in the tournament along with players from Spain, Russia, Azerbaijan, the UAE and others. The two-day skeet competition saw exciting challenges from the first day until the end of the second day and the final round. The Qatari national shooting team are Rashid Saleh Al Athba, Hassan Al Manai, Ali Ishaq, Mohammed Al Kuwari, Mohamed Al Rumaihi, Saeed Bu Shareb, Norah Al Ali and Rashid Hamad Al Athba. The delegation of the Qatari national team is headed by head of the national teams committee Ali Al Mannai, and Al Anoud Al Nuaimi, a member of the national teams committee. Rashid Saleh Al Athba expressed his happiness at winning the gold medal in the skeet competition at the Morocco Shotgun Grand Prix. (QNA)