Doha Festival City to host Mini Athletics Championships for kids

Doha, September 8, 2019-Doha Festival City, Qatar's preferred and world class destination for entertainment, has partnered with the Local Organising Committee of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 as a national supplier of the event, which Qatar organises for the first time ever in the Middle East from September 27 until October 6.The partnership sees Doha Festival City host a Mini Athletics Championships from September 5 until October 3 for children aged 4-14. Doha Festival City has created a replica of the Khalifa International Stadium, the host venue of the IAAF World Athletics Championships, at the Centre Court, first floor.The stadium replica features six athletics events, spectator area, and a press conference space, giving the younger generation a glimpse of what fans can expect when the Middle East's biggest ever sporting event begins in three weeks with the participation of first-class athletes from 213 countries.The venue will open daily, from 2pm-10pm on weekdays, and until 11pm from Thursdays to Saturdays, welcoming children to play and enjoy a variety of athletics activities including jumping, throwing, relay races, sprints and hurdles.On Mondays and Wednesdays, experienced coaches will be on the ground to offer training sessions for three hours at each pit, while on weekends children will compete against each other to win medals.Senior athletes will also make an appearance on weekends to meet and greet their fans at Doha Festival City, where they will sign the bibs of kids club members and hand out medals and prizes to the winners.Sheikha Asma al-Thani, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Local Organising Committee, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Doha Festival City as a key national supplier who can support us in delivering a successful championship that showcases Qatar's capability of hosting large-scale world sporting events. The mini championship enables us to further engage the public in sport and inspire the next generation of athletes, which is an integral part of our mission."Hazim Murad, Assistant General Manager of Doha Festival City, said: “We have worked with our creative team to produce a unique experience for children that resembles the real-life one. The venue is rounded with entrance gates and an audience area that makes it look like a miniature of the iconic Khalifa International Stadium."Robert Hall, General Manager of Doha Festival City, said: “We are so excited to partner with the Local Organising committee of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019. We are keen on supporting the country's efforts towards its National Vision 2030, and to celebrate such important moments and events with the people of Qatar.“The partnership brings yet another unique experience to our shoppers and visitors and adds value to our retailers and business partners who chose us for being Qatar's number one and preferred destination. We look forward to welcoming Qatar's guests, citizens, and residents for this festival of world-class sport," he added.As part of the partnership between Doha Festival City and the Local Organising Committee, tickets of the IAAF World Athletics Championship Doha 2019 will be available for sale at the mall at a dedicated booth opposite to Centrepoint store in the ground floor.

Team Qatar win eight medals in GCC Aquatics Championships

DOHA, KUWAIT, September 7, 2019 - The Qatari swimming team won 8 medals in the 27th edition of GCC Aquatics Championships 2019 which got underway in Kuwait on Thursday and ends on Sunday.Qatari swimmers won four gold medals. Abdulrahman Mohammed won two golds in 1500 meters freestyle and 400 meters race to take his tally to 3 gold medals after winning one gold in 800 meters freestyle on Friday.Waleed Rafiq won the gold medal in 100 meters breaststroke and silver medal for 200 meters breaststroke event to increase his tally to 3 golds.Abdulaziz Al Obaidli received gold medal in 200 meters breaststroke and to raise his tally to 3 medals after winning Abdulaziz Al Obaidli received gold medal in 200 meters Thursday.Qatar's Abdulrahman Mohammed won the gold of 200m individual event, while Saad Al Sulati won bonze medal of 50 meters breaststroke.

Team Qatar sparkle in GCC Aquatics Championships

Kuwait, September 06, 2019- The Qatari swimming team sparkled in the 27th edition of GCC Aquatics Championships 2019 which got underway in Kuwait on Thursday.Waleed Rafiq won the gold medal of 50m Men's breaststroke event while Nasser Al Nuaimi claimed the bronze in the 50m backstroke event. Abdullah Mohammed grabbed the bronze medal of 50m butterfly event.In Morning session, Qatar's Abdulrahman Mohammed won the gold of 800m freestyle event while Nasser Al Nuaimi took the bronze medal of backstroke event.Qatar's squad: Abdurrahman Hesham, Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Waleed Daloul, Yousef Al Khenji, Nasser Al Naimi, Faisal Al Sulaiti, Mohammed Al Rashdi, Saad Al Sulaiti, Abdullah Al Hamayda and Rashed Al Rumaihi.

Qatar defeat Afghanistan in Asian qualifiers

Doha, September 06, 2019- Almoez Ali grabbed a hat-trick as Qatar started their build-up to the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup in emphatic fashion, routing minnows Afghanistan 6-0 in a joint qualifying Group E clash in Doha on Thursday.Qatar's group also includes India, Bangladesh and Oman, with the table toppers along with the seven other group winners and four best runners-up advancing to the Asian Cup in China and the final round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.However, if the 2022 hosts win their group, the seven other group winners and five best second-placed sides will advance to the final round of qualifying for the World Cup.Qatar's Spanish coach Felix Sanchez had made it clear that he would be fielding his strongest possible line-up despite Afghanistan's lowly status.He said that being the Asian Cup champions and World Cup hosts a strong start was important to send out a message.Consequently, the gulf between the Asian Cup champions and Afghanistan was more than evident on Thursday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium where the hosts stamped their authority early in the match with star forward Almoez Ali finding the target twice early to put Qatar on course to victory.Ali, the top scorer in the Asian Cup this year where Qatar beat Japan to win the title, first struck with a powerful header in the fourth minute and then applied the finishing touch to a fine string of passes in the 11th, Akram Afif being the provider.Captain Hassan al-Haydos then made it 3-0 in the 13th minute off an Afif pass and Abdelkarim Hassan scored from a solo effort in the 34th minute to ensure Qatar took a whopping 4-0 advantage into the second half.There was no respite for the Afghan goalkeeper Ovays Azizi after resumption as Ali grabbed his third goal of the evening in the 51st minute and Boualem Khoukhi tapped in from close in the 67th which proved the last goal of the match as the hosts eased up later.

ANOC launches new ANOC World Beach Games website

Doha, September 06, 2019-The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) launched the new ANOC World Beach Games website which will serve as the central hub of all news, information and results for the inaugural multi-sport event in Doha.The user-friendly website (www.awbgqatar.com) is hosted within the ANOC website and includes information on the Games venues, participating countries, the provisional competiton schedule and the latest news and photo galleries. The website will be continually updated with more detailed information and news over the coming days and weeks in the build up to the multi-sport event. During the Games, fans wanting to watch the competitions live will be able to do so through the website's live stream and will be able to find all competition results on the new digital platform.New Instagram (awbg2019) and Twitter (@AWBG2019) accounts have also been created to maximize connectivity with athletes, fans, NOCs and International Federations.ANOC Secretary Gunilla Lindberg said:“We are delighted to launch the ANOC World Beach Games website which will be the go-to resource for NOCs, athletes, fans and everyone who wants to learn more about the Games and be kept informed on the latest results and updates. As we aim to ensure the website is as comprehensive and informative as possible, we will be constantly updating it with new information. Our social media platforms will allow us to interact directly with our NOCs, their athletes and beach sports fans around the world. With just over a month to go until the firstever ANOC World Beach Games there is a huge amount to look forward to and our digital platforms will be keeping everyone updated every step of the way."

Team Qatar to participate in GCC Aquatics Championships

Kuwait, September 5, 2019 – Team Qatar will participate in the 27th edition of GCC Aquatics Championships 2019 which will get underway in Kuwait on Thursday.Team Qatar held their international training camp from 12-30 August in Romania in preparation for the GCC Aquatics Championships 2019.Qatar's squad: Abdurrahman Hesham, Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Waleed Daloul, Yousef Al Khenji, Nasser Al Naimi, Faisal Al Sulaiti, Mohammed Al Rashdi, Saad Al Sulaiti, Abdullah Al Hamayda and Rashed Al Rumaihi.