Sheikh Joaan: Doha Occupies Prominent Place in the Global Sports Arena

​Doha, September 28, 2019- (QNA) - HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairman of the organizing committee of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, said that Doha has hosted many continental and international events and tournaments for decades, making it a prominent place in the global sports arena, and enabling its cadres to acquire a variety of experiences in the organization of major tournaments, thus enabling Doha to become one of the most important sports capitals in the world. This is because of the importance of sport as one of the factors influencing the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.Addressing the opening ceremony of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, His Excellency said Qatar is welcoming yesterday the world in this great forum, which emphasizes the role of sport in promoting the values of friendship and peace among peoples, and allows all to watch this 10-day big sporting event, during which the world's elite athletes compete in the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.Since the announcement of its hosting of the World Athletics Championship, Qatar started early preparation through the cooperation of all sectors in order to organize this big event, under the guidance of its leaders and officials in order to ensure the success of the tournament in the best manner that reflects the status of Qatar in the global sports, he added.His Excellency stressed that Doha, thanks to the efforts of its citizens and residents of different nationalities, is ready to launch this major tournament, which is attended by the champions from around the world.Concluding his speech, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani thanked all those who have collaborated with the organizing committee in preparing for this event, and thanked the volunteers for their response and dedication to the success of a championship that will remain in the memory of 'our generations' an event with a message of 'ambition without borders' from the Middle East to the world.For his part, HE President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Lord Sebastian Coe said athletics is one of only two truly global sports and we are proud to be the biggest single sporting event in 2019."I would like to thank our generous and gracious hosts. HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for making available the resources and facilities of this city and country."He also extended his thank to HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairman of the organizing committee of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, for his 'support and consistent interest in our sport'."Thank you also to Vice President Dahlan Al Hamad. You have put together a young, dynamic, talented team and you have guided them well. You are a great pride to the people of Qatar and you have brought great pride to our sport. Thank you!""As a fan I appreciate the diligence, concentration, determination and dedication of the athletes that compete in our showcase event, The World Championships. As a Global sport President, I understand what it takes to deliver a world sports event and appreciate the enthusiasm and passion that we see time and again from the fans of our sport and everyone involved behind the scenes.""Good luck to all the athletes "who I know will give it their all. May you fulfil your potential and may all your dreams come true.""My heart felt gratitude to the volunteers and the organizers without whom an event like this one just simply could not be staged." (QNA)

HH the Amir Meets President of International Olympic Committee

Doha, September 28, 2019-(QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met Friday with HE President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, on the occasion of his attendance of the opening of the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.The meeting focused on reviewing bilateral cooperation and the means to enhance them, in addition to discussing issues of joint interest in the sports field.The meeting was attended by President of Qatar Olympic Committee and head of the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani. (QNA)

HH the Amir Opens IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019

Doha, September 28, 2019-(QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced the opening of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 on Friday evening, wishing all participating delegations success and a pleasant stay in Qatar.The opening ceremony of 17th edition of the IAAF World Athletics Championships was attended by HH Personal Representative of the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers.The ceremony was also attended by HE President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dr Thomas Bach, members of the IOC, HE President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Lord Sebastian Coe, members of the IAAF, and a number of Olympic and sport figures, Their Excellencies heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar and senior officials and guests of the tournament.The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by a movie on Qatar welcoming the world. After the movie, President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and head of the championship's organizing committee HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, and HE President of the International Association of Athletics Federations Lord Sebastian Coe gave a speech to mark the occasion.After that, the march with the Arab and foreign flags of the participating teams took place, after which started a fireworks display.Then, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani declared the kick off of the women's marathon. (QNA)

Draw held for AFC Under 23 Championship

Bangkok, September 27, 2019-Qatar are placed alongside 2016 champions Japan, Saudi Arabia - runners-up in 2013, and Syria are in a tough Group B of the AFC U23 Championship following the Thailand 2020 Finals draw in Bangkok on Thursday.The fourth edition of the Championship will be played across three cities - Bangkok, Buriram and Songkhla - with the tournament kicking off on January 8, and the final to be played on January 26.Besides Continental glory, 15 of the 16 teams will also be competing for places in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the top three sides will join hosts Japan as Asia's representatives next July.Uzbekistan will open their defence of the AFC U23 Championship title in Group C where they will be joined by Korea Republic, China PR and Islamic Republic of Iran.It promises to be an exciting group as all three of Uzbekistan's challengers will be aiming to win the title for the first time.Hosts Thailand were drawn in Group A and they will have 2013 champions Iraq, Australia and debutants Bahrain to contend with.Vietnam, runners-up in 2018, have DPR Korea, Jordan - third in 2013 - and United Arab Emirates for company in Group D.Should Japan make the last four stage, the other three semi-finalists will be assured of their places in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships to kick off today

Doha, September 27, 2019-(QNA)- The eyes of the world will turn to Doha on Friday with the start of the 17th edition of the IAAF World Athletics Championships (Doha 2019), hosted by the State of Qatar for the first time in the Middle East region. With an unprecedented participation of the world athletics champions, about 2,000 participants from 209 countries are taking part in the tournament.Doha is well prepared for the start of this global sports event, which millions of people around the world will follow it as the World Athletics Championships is held after the football world cup and the Olympic games.On Friday afternoon, the qualifiers of a number of races and competitions will kick off at Khalifa Stadium, then the first day will conclude with the final of the women's marathon at 12:00 pm local time on the Doha Corniche, which is now ready for the start of the night marathon, to be organized for the first time in the history of the tournament.HE Dahlan Al Hamad, Director General of the Organizing Committee of the Championship and President of the Asian Athletics Federation, said in a statement on the eve of the competitions that Doha is fully ready for the big sporting event, adding that all the facilities and potentials have been provided and 'we are awaiting the start of the tournament today, which we hope will be an extraordinary tournament in the history of world athletics championships'.He added that everyone in Qatar is exerting tremendous efforts in terms of cooperation and giving in order to achieve the distinctive success that Qatar has always known for in such big events and to 'prove to the world that we are also ready to present a special World Cup in 2022'.For his part, IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe praised the great efforts made by the Organizing Committee of the championship and the facilities provided by Doha to present an amazing world championship in the State of Qatar, commending the atmosphere that accompanies the big international event and the cooling technology at Khalifa International Stadium, which hosts the competitions of the World Athletics Championships.He stressed that the world is waiting to see a large number of world records made in various races and competitions of the Doha 2019, and that Khalifa Stadium encourages champions to do so.The Doha 2019 may witness some world records made since years ago, most notably in the 400m hurdles as three runners with the second and third best timing will compete: Norwegian Karsten Warholm (46.92 seconds), Qatar Abdulrahman Samba and American Rai Benjamin (both 46.98s).Khalifa International Stadium will host the IAAF World Athletics Championships except for the 20 and 50 km marathon and walking competitions which will be on Doha Corniche.Khalifa Stadium is located in Aspire area, which includes a full range of modern sports facilities. Over the past four decades the stadium plays a key role in the sporting renaissance witnessed in Qatar, and was one of the most prominent facilities that hosted major competitions, and it is ready today to host the IAAF World Athletics Championship, three years before it hosts the 2022 World Cup.Established specifically for the fourth Gulf tournament in 1976, the stadium had a capacity of 20,000 spectators and returned to host the most prominent Gulf event in 1992 after undergoing an expansion and modernization process.The stadium capacity has been upgraded to at least 40,000 spectators, and hosted once again the 2006 Asian Games, which Qatar hosted for the first time in the Middle East. The stadium also hosted some 2011 AFC Asian Cup football matches, including the opening and final matches.The area around the stadium has grown exponentially after the construction of Aspire Dome, one of the largest indoor sports venues with a football stadium and multi-purpose lounges that have hosted international events, including the 2010 World Athletics Championships, as well as Olympic swimming pools.Close to the stadium, Aspetar Hospital, one of the world's most prestigious orthopedic and sports medicine facilities, was built, where many stars have undergone tests and treatments, most notably the most expensive player in the world Brazilian Neymar.The stadium was modernized after renovation and was reopened in 2017, with roofs topped by arches representing continuity and symbolizing the embrace of fans from all over the world.Khalifa Stadium is the first stadium to be tested by the cooling technology that came into effect for the first time in the 2017 Amir Cup final, with temperatures falling inside it between 23 and 25 degrees. Around 500 cold air nozzles are included throughout the stadium.These nozzles have been specially designed in Qatar, using removable plastic parts, allowing air to be pumped or pushed to the area they are intended to reach. The fans will enjoy the cool atmosphere, as will be the case at the 2022 World Cup, where Khalifa International Stadium will be one of the eight hosting stadiums, and will host matches from the first round to the quarter-finals. (QNA)

Sheikh Joaan meets President of International Olympic Committee

Doha, September 27, 2019- (QNA) - President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairman of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships organizing committee, met Thursday in Doha with HE President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and his accompanying delegation upon their arrival in Hamad International Airport.The President of the International Olympic Committee is set to attend the Doha 2019 championships, which begin Friday and conclude on October 6.Bach will also attend the meetings set to take place on the sidelines of the competition between the Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). (QNA)