Qatar Olympic Committee honours Qatar’s sportspersons

DOHA, November 21, 2019 – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani honoured Qatari athletes, trainers and administrators at a glitzy Sports Excellence Awards 2019 ceremony on Wednesday, with Asian Cup football champions Qatar national team and high jump world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim among the winners.Present during the ceremony were His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Assistant Chief of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, QOC first vice president Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani, QOC second vice president Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy secretary general Hassan al-Thawadi, Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, other federation officials and eminent personalities.“Achievements this year, both team and individual, were possible due to dedicated efforts of athletes, coaches and administrators," Sheikh Joaan said in his opening speech.“Asian Cup football victory and Mutaz's World Championship medal were some of the notable achievements. I also commend the organisers of the IAAF World Championships, and the ANOC World Beach Games.“I share the joy of all the achievements and I am looking forward to the future. And the immediate future is the Olympics and the Paralympics, and sports organisations, trainers and the athletes have to train hard, if we are looking to achieve new milestones.“We are grateful to all the people who helped in improving sports in the country. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who are working tirelessly to improve sports in Qatar and I hope your dedication will be crowned with more successes. Maintaining these records are very difficult, as difficult as achieving them."Barshim, who became the only high jumper to successfully defend his world title, having won in London and at home in Doha earlier this year, shared his comeback story of fighting a career-threatening injury to winning gold at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.“I was at the top of my game but the injury had me struggle with depression almost to the point that I was reviewing my sports career and having doubts about whether I will be at the same level," Barshim said. “My participation in the Championships in Doha was decided two weeks before the event. And thanks to the support of my fans, my coach, and everyone around me, I was able to come back stronger and be able to win the gold medal. And this is a moment I will never forget.“There is always a question that 'so you have achieved this. What next?' This is the period where I stress the importance of having a driving force to keep moving forward, and I would like to thank the State of Qatar, the Qatar Olympic Committee, the sports federations and the fans for all these achievements."Qatar women's basketball and handball teams were presented the Women's Team of the Season Award, while Aysha Yousef al-Suwaidi and Nasra Mohamed Mahmoud shared the Female Athletes of the Year Award.Tamim Mohamed Hassan al-Hamaida and Al Maha Meshal Attiq al-Ali were presented Promising Male and Female athletes of the season awards, respectively.Qatar Goalball Team was presented the Men's Para-Team of the Season Award, while Saud Harban al-Sulaiti and Salma Dhahi Hamad were honoured with the Male and Female para-athletes of the season awards, respectively.

Qatar defeat Afghanistan in Asian Qualifiers

Dushanbe (Tajikstan), November 20, 2019-Reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar escaped with a barely deserved 1-0 win on Tuesday as Felix Sanchez's side saw Afghanistan miss a first-half penalty during their Asian Qualifiers Group E.Akram Afif's penalty 14 minutes from time spared Qatar's blushes and secured all three points, but only after Omran Haydary saw his effort from the spot saved by Saad Al Sheeb in the first half in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying tie.As a result, Qatar remain unbeaten in their first five qualifiers and sit on top of Group E with 13 points while Afghanistan remain on four points with three games left in the second phase of qualifying.Despite the gulf between the teams, the Qataris were never allowed to settle by an Afghan side that pressed the Asian champions from the front, with the tactic frustrating the visitors throughout the 90 minutes.Playing in front of a sizeable crowd in the Tajikistan capital Dushanbe, Afghanistan looked the more likely to score in the early exchanges. Farshad Noor went close to capitalising on a mistake by Tarek Salman, when the defender's clearance was fired back with interest, only to shoot over the bar.Almoez Ali should have done better seconds later at the other end, only to slice his attempt off target after being played in on goal by his strike partner Yusuf Abdurisag as Sanchez's side laboured.Salman was again involved in the 29th minute when Milad Intezar's attempt at goal hit the defender on the hand and referee Timur Faizullin had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Haydary' s weak attempt, though, was gathered by Al Sheeb as he dropped to his left.

Students sparkle in SOP competitions

DOHA, November 19, 2019 – The competitions of 13th edition of the Schools Olympic Program (SOP) continued successfully in different sports at multiple venues in the country on Monday.In the primary schools basketball competitions held at Federation Hall in Al Gharafa SC, Simaisima school booked place in the last 16 round beside Abo Haneefia school, Shahania school, Abo Ayoob Al Ansari school , Al Rashad school and Al Manar model school.In the volleyball competitions for preparatory schools held at Al Arabi SC hall, Newton school defeated Al-Khor international English school, while in the secondary schools competition in the volleyball, Cambridge outclassed Palestinian school and Al Khaleej English school defeated Rajagiri public school.In a press release on Monday, Mr. Hamad Yousef Al Obaidly, Chairman of SOP's Organizing Committee applauded the outstanding technical performance of students in this's year edition.The SOP is held annually as a collaborative effort of to encourage hundreds of students athletes competing from all over Qatar.The SOP Committee aims to spread a culture of sports through Qatar's schools and to engage the entire community in active and healthy lifestyles while retaining local values and traditions.

Qatar to take on Afghanistan in world cup qualifiers

Doha, November 19, 2019-Group E leaders Qatar will look to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Afghanistan in the joint World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, today.Felix Sanchez's men have been the standout side in their group as they have won three matches out of four and have ten points. While they have not been at their best, Qatar players have got the job done so far.Today's match against Afghanistan should be an easy one for Qatar, at least on paper. However, cold conditions in Dushanbe and the artificial turf could pose a tough challenge for the Qatar team.Striker Almoez Ali was confident though that Qatar can adapt to any conditions. “We have played in such conditions before, so it shouldn't be a problem. We are professional players. We will do our best win our match," he saidQatar had beaten Afghanistan 6-0 at home last month and another drubbing cannot be ruled out. Al Duhail forward Almoez has already bagged four goals in this campaign, while Akram Afif comes into the fixture fresh from being nominated for AFC Men's Player of the Year.Sanchez, though, was not taking things for granted. “It will certainly not be an easy encounter. We will be looking for one more win and want to maintain the lead in our group. Against Afghanistan at home we played well. We are now leading the group, trying to work well and always looking to do better in the future,'' the Spaniard said.Meanwhile, Afghanistan return for their second trip to Dushanbe in five days after a last-minute goal from Seiminlen Doungel helped India salvage a 1-1 draw last Thursday.Doungel's equaliser was a bitter pill to swallow for Afghanistan, who would have been within three points of second-placed Oman coming into today's fixtures had they managed to hold on.Afghanistan coach Dastgir conceded the match will be a tough one for his side. “If we lose by one or two goals, this is a victory for us. But in general I hope that the conditions serve us and we will try as much as possible to keep a clean sheet," he said.Meanwhile, in another Group E match India face a trip to Oman. While India inflicted a late blow on Afghanistan last time out, it was they who suffered a similar fate when they met Oman in the opening fixture, with Erwin Koeman's side snatching a 2-1 win having trailed with eight minutes remaining in Guwahati.That win proved to be the start of a strong campaign for Oman, who have since breezed to two big wins in Muscat and pushed Qatar all the way in a 2-1 defeat in Doha.Koeman's brother Ronald has had a successful international career by leading their native Netherlands to UEFA Euro 2020 qualification, and the elder sibling of the family could be on the way to going one better by leading Oman to a maiden FIFA World Cup.

QOC President Honors Team Qatar Shooters

Doha, November 19, 2019- (QNA) - HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani yesterday honored Qatar's shooting team medalists in the 14th Asian Championship, held in Doha recently.The honoring ceremony was attended by HE Qatar Olympic Committee First Vice-President Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani, and HE Second Vice President of the Olympic Committee Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, as well as HE QOC Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, President and members of the Board of Directors of Qatar Shooting Association and the Directors of the Departments of the Olympic Committee.HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani congratulated the crowned heroes and champions and praised their great efforts. His Excellency also congratulated the archer Mohammed Al Rumaihi and praised his achievement in qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.His Excellency added that these medals are the beginning of the journey, and Qatar is counting on such champions in the upcoming continental and international tournaments to achieve the country's aspirations in sport field. (QNA)

Team Qatar line up for Asian Men's Handball Championship

Doha, November 17, 2019- Qatar's handball team began their preparations for the 19th Asian Handball Championship to be held in Kuwait from January 16-27, 2020 and to serve a qualification tournament for 2021 World Men's Handball Championship to be staged in Egypt.The draw of the event was held in Kuwait early this month where team Qatar were drawn in Group (B) alongside Japan and China.The tournament will also feature the participation of Bahrain, Iran New Zealand (Group A), South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia (Group C), Kuwait, UAE, Hong Kong and Iraq (Group D).The four top teams in this edition of Asian Men's Handball Championship will qualify to the 2021 World Championship.Qatar's Squad: Ahmad Madadi, Abdulrahman Tariq, Rafael Capote, Allaedine Berrached, Rasheed Yusuff, Ameen Zakkar, Mahmoud Zaki, Danijel Saric, Wajdi Sinen, Anis Zouaoui, Moustafa Heiba, Hussan Awad, Mostafa Karad, Yassin Sami, Mohamed Obaidi, Hadi Hamdoun and Marawan Sassi. ​