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Sheikh Joaan crowns Egypt's Ali Farag Champion of Qatar Classic 2020
Doha, November 08, 2020- HE Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned Egypt's World No.1 Ali Farag, champion of Qatar Classic 2020, after his 3-1 victory over New Zealand's World No.5 Paul Coll in the final match.The Egyptian player defeated New Zealander 11/8, 6/11, 11/9, and 11/9 in the 61-minute game at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.HE President of the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, Secretary-General of the Federation Tariq Zainal, and Alex Goff, CEO of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Alex Gough attended the final match.With his victory at the PSA World Tour Platinum event, Farag, 28, not only extended his head-to-head lead over the Kiwi, also 28, to 13-1, but he equally lifted his 21st PSA title in tow. The 2018-19 PSA World Champion also joined the elitist club of two-time champions in Doha which up till now has only three players - Mohamed ElShorbagy (2017, 2015, 2013), Karim Darwish (2010, 2008) and Peter Nicol (2002, 2001) as members.For his effort, the Harvard-graduate not only lifted the championship trophy, but he also walked away with the $26,000 winner's prize money.The Qatar Classic 2020 was the Egyptian's second title in succession since the Tour restarted following the six-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Farag had claimed victory at the CIB Egyptian Open last month to reclaim the top spot in world rankings."The first time I couldn't believe it, and this time around I can't believe it even more," said Farag following the match. "When I was younger, I used to watch the Qatar Classic and see all the great names of our sport lifting that trophy and I could only imagine standing there one day. To do it twice is an amazing feeling. We've been playing with each other for a good few years now, he wasn't necessarily a very good junior or the most talented, but he's a living example of inspiration."For Coll, however, it marks the second year of frustration in Qatar following his defeat to World No.3 Tarek Momen in the PSA Men's World Championship final on the same court 12 months ago. It was his second Platinum final appearance, with his first at the Windy City Open back in March also ending in a defeat to Farag.Coll said, "It's a hard feeling at the moment. I'm obviously very happy to reach another final here in Qatar; it's a great tournament and a fantastic location. "I always love coming here, and I've played well here year in, year out. I wanted it pretty bad today but fell short. It's a tough one to swallow, but Ali is World No.1 for a reason, and he played the end of every game very well, so well done to Ali."
Coll sets up Qatar Classic 2020 final clash with World No.1 Farag
November 07, 2020- The Qatar Classic 2020 has finally reached its last day today with the World No.1 Ali Farag of Egypt and New Zealand's World No.5 Paul Coll emerging the last-two men standing after six days of beautiful squash at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.The two star-players, both 28-years-old, came out shining on the day that mattered most as they both battered their opponents in straight games in their semi-finals clashes on Friday to reach the final.While Coll dominated Egypt's World No.12 Fares Dessouky 3-0 (11-9, 11-0, 11-0) in 37 minutes, Farag, the defending champion, got the better of the World Champion Tarek Momen (11-9, 11-2, 11-4) in 38 minutes in an almost one-sided match.Such was the superior form of the 1.83m Farag over his compatriot that he took the second game in just seven minutes.Going by recent form, the pendulum will appear to likely tilt towards Farag in the final considering the wide-gap in head-to-head stats between them.While Farag had defeated the Kiwi twelve times, Coll, meanwhile, had only managed to beat his Egyptian opponent once - the second round of the 2017 JP Morgan Tournament of Champions (their first-ever clash).
Doha 2030 promises ‘Gateway to the Greatest Ever Asian Sports Experience’
Doha, November 07, 2020-The Doha 2030 Asian Games will be the greatest ever sports experience for Asia's athletes and spectators alike due to Doha's existing state-of-the-art competition venues and world-class supporting transport and accommodation infrastructure.Doha 2030 will draw from its extensive experience in hosting major international multi-sport events, and make full use of its iconic venues and training facilities, to ensure that sport is front and centre of the Games experience. All of Doha's competition and non-competition venues are centrally located within a compact Games footprint to minimise travel time and maximise convenience.Doha 2030 guarantees multiple clusters of competition venues to streamline operations and enhance the sports experience for athletes, the OCA Family and spectators. In addition, all of Doha's famous existing venues together ensure a Gateway to Certainty, standing ready to welcome Asia's, and some of the world's, finest athletes.Doha 2030 and QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani said:“Doha truly is a city that is Games-ready, right now; as are our modern, world-class venues and sophisticated transport system. Already, they represent Asia's legacy from 2006. But with Doha 2030 we want to build on this and provide a gateway to certainty and an enduring legacy for Asia.“We will work with the OCA and Asia's NOCs to ensure that the next ten years focus on Asian sport and its development. And we can do this because we are ready now, ready to inspire hope through sport and be 'Your Gateway to a Brighter Future for Asian Sport'."Complementing Doha's existing venues is a hyper-efficient and effective transportation network that will service the venues and Athletes Village. An integrated system of roads, light rail, buses and Metro that has already facilitated the journeys of large crowds from the Doha 2006 Asian Games through to multiple World Cups and World Championships. And through this existing network, the average travel time from the Athletes Village to all venues is just 20 minutes, ensuring a convenient and cost-effective solution for all.Doha's transportation network also connects to its plethora of top-quality hotels which are famed for Qatar's world-renowned hospitality. And like the venues and transportation system, all of these hotels already adorn Doha's streets within a convenient compact footprint, ensuring a wonderful accommodation experience for all. Doha is ready to be 'Your Gateway to a Safe, Convenient and Memorable Stay at the 2030 Asian Games'.
Farag to face Momen in Qatar Classic Semifinals
Doha, November 6, 2020--After five days of beautiful squash action at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, the race for the title of Qatar Classic 2020 is now down to four men with only New Zealand's World No. 5 Paul Coll ensuring that a player other than from Egypt is featuring in the last four of the $175,000 total prize money event this year.Friday's semi-finals will witness defending champion Egypt's Ali Farag going up against the World Champion Tarek Momen also from Egypt, while Coll battles Egypt's Fares Dessouky, who defeated “giant-slayer" Youssef Ibrahim 3-1 in their quarters' clash.For Momen, tomorrow's match will be yet another opportunity to get closer to another title in Doha, twelve months after claiming the World Championship at the same venue and court.The Qatar Classic trophy has, till date, remained elusive for the 32-year-old World No. 3, and his best appearance at the tournament has been the final of the 2017 tournament.The 28-year-old Farag, meanwhile, holds an 8-4 head-to-head advantage over his older compatriot and he had claimed victory in their last two encounters - the latest being the final of last month's CIB Egyptian Open where he defeated Momen in straight games. Meanwhile, Coll, the finalist at last year's World Championship, will be up against the 26-year-old Dessouky whom he hold a 5-1 head-to-head advantage against.Coll had defeated him in four games the last time they met in the second round of this year's Manchester Open.No matter what happened tomorrow, the final will once again have an Egyptian flavour with either one or both finalists from the country.
Ibrahim stuns three-time champion ElShorbagy in Qatar Classic 2020
Doha, November 04, 2020-Egypt's Youssef Ibrahim, the World No. 41, scripted the greatest upsets of the Qatar Classic 2020 so far after defeating his compatriot and three-time champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, World No.2, 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 3-11, 15-13, 11-6) in their last-16 encounter on Wednesday.The match was the first between the pair, and the 21-year-old Ibrahim stamped his claim as one of the major contenders for the Doha title with his commendable performance at the $175,000 total prize money event.Meanwhile, defending champion and World No.1, Ali Farag, was rarely troubled as he secured his quarter-finals ticket with an emphatic 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-7) defeat of the 22-year-old Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng in 35 minutes. The younger of the ElShorbagy brothers, Marwan, on the other hand, claimed victory against his German opponent Raphael Kandra in the other match of the day.In the other matches of the day, Egypt's World No.12 Fares Dessouky won against former World No.5 Borja Golan in straight games (11-2, 12-10, 11-2) while New Zealand's World No.5 Paul Coll endurance and stamina was brought to bear in his match against France's World No.17 Gregoire Marche as he bounced back from 1-2 down to win 3-2 (7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5).PSA World Champion Tarek Momen of Egypt, meanwhile, defeated England's James Willstrop 3-1 (11-8, 11-3, 3-11, 11-4) in 38 minutes to set up a quarter-final clash against Wales' Joel Makin.
Qatar's coach announces 27-player squad for November friendlies
Doha, November 01, 2020 - Qatar coach Felix Sanchez on Saturday announced a squad of 27 players ahead of the two international friendlies against Costa Rica and Korea Republic on Nov. 13 and 17.The national teams training for the current gathering will start on Sunday until the return date from Austria on Nov. 18, after which the players will join the ranks of their clubs.The teams list included: Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Tariq Salman, Abdel-Karim Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Musab Khudar, Muhammad Waad, Yousif Abdulsaq, Ahmed Suhail, Al Moez Ali, Karim Boudiaf, Ismail Muhammad, Abdullah Abd Al Salam, Mahdi Ali, Ahmad Alaa Al Din, Moayed Hassan, Humam Ahmad, Abdullah Maarifieh, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed Moein, Abdel Aziz Hatem, Fahd Younis, Mohammed Abu Nada and Issa Ahmed.The two friendlies are part of Qatar's preparations for the double qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup.
