Sanchez names Qatar squad for World Cup and Asian qualifiers

DOHA, September 2, 2019-Qatar coach Felix Sanchez yesterday named a 24-member squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers. Qatar, who are in Group E, will open their campaign against Afghanistan on September 5th, before taking on India five days later. Both matches will be played at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Oman and Bangladesh are the other sides in the group.Sanchez announced the squad after the end of the second round matches of the QNB Stars League. Qatar players began their preparations last night with some light training.While Qatar have already qualified for the next World Cup as hosts, topping their group will ensure a direct spot at the 2023 Asian Cup.All group winners will qualify directly for the finals, alongside the four best runners-up. The Spaniard, who was recently also appointed as the coach of the Olympic side, replacing compatriot Albert Fernandez, has also named a 26-member squad for the two upcoming friendlies against Jordan. The matches are being played as part of the preparations for the AFC U-23 Championship, which is set be held in Thailand in January and will serve as qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics.The team is set to play the first friendly against Jordan on September 6th at Aspire Pitch No. 4, before playing them again on September 9th on the same ground.Qatar qualified for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship after topping their qualifying group with seven points from three games, finishing ahead of Oman on goal difference. Afghanistan and Nepal came third and fourth respectively.Sanchez has a great track record with Qatar's various national teams, starting with the AFC U-19 Championship victory in 2014, followed by a third-place finish at the AFC U-23 Championship in 2018 and finally the historic triumph with the senior team at Asia's most prestigious tournament the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.Qatar team: Meshaal Barsham, Saad al-Sheeb, Pedro Miguel, Salem al-Hajri, Tarek Salman, Abdelkarim Hassan, Khoukhi Boualem, Hassan al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Abdulaziz al-Ansari, Hashim Ali (Al Sadd), Bassam al-Rawi, Assim Madibo, Almoez Ali, Karim Boudiaf, Ali Afif, Mohammed al-Bakri (Al Duhail), Yousuf Abdurrazaq, Musab Kheder, Ahmed Fathi (Al Arabi), Almahdi Ali, Ahmed Alaaeldin (Al Gharafa), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Abdullah Abdulsalam (Al Ahli).Under-23 (Olympic team): Mohamed Ismail Abushanab, Amro Seraj, Nasser Abdulsalam, Ilyas Ahmed, Andiy Syahputra, Abdullah Ali al-Saai, Ahmed al-Janehi, Salah Hassan (Al Gharafa), Khaled Muneer, Ahmed Suhail, Mohamed Waad (Al Wakrah), Ahmed al-Sebaei, Shehab al-Leythi, Khaled Mohamed (Al Duhail), Hazem Shehata, Yazan Naim, Hassan Balank (Umm Salal), Abdulrahman Mohamed Fahmy, Abdulrashid Umaru (Al Ahli), Adel Bader, Ahmed al-Menhali (Al Sailiya), Bahaa al-Leythi, Youssef Ayman (Qatar), Hussain Bahzad (Al Sadd), Ibrahim Masoud (Al Rayyan), Khalifa al-Malki (Al Arabi).

ANOC and Sports: Understanding the Synergic Link

DOHA, September 2, 2019-When the inaugural edition of the World Beach Games Qatar 2019 officially kicks off in the beautiful city of Doha on October 12, all eyes are not only going to be on the host nation but also on the main organisers, Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), who are putting together this great competition for the first time.In establishing the World Beach Games, ANOC aims to open beach sports to the world and provide an opportunity for NOCs to connect with new stars from new beach, water and action sports. The Beach Games is the latest addition to the long list of innovations ANOC has been undertaking in its quest to reform, modernise and professionalise the organisation in order to better serve the needs of the world's NOCs.As one of the largest international organisations in the world with 206 IOC-recognised National Olympic ommittees (NOCs) and eight NOCs who are not recognised by IOC but recognised by continental associations as its affiliates, ANOC has always been at the forefront of global promotion of sports and it works to protect and advance the interest of all its members.Historically, the first General Assembly of the NOCs took place in Rome from 30 September – to 2 October 1965 but it wasn't until June 1979 that ANOC was officially formed during the Constitutive General Assembly in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Mario Vazquez Rana (Mexico), who served from 26 June 1979 to 13 April 2012, as its first president.By facilitating and opening up new dialogue, ANOC is committed to forging more productive and collaborative working relationships between NOCs and International Federations (IFs) in particular and it also strives to protect and advance the collective interests of the NOCs by delivering an unprecedented level of assistance and support as well as strengthening the relationships between the NOCs and the Olympic Family for the benefit of the entire Olympic Movement.Each NOC under the organisation is affiliated to their respective continental nations - Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), European Olympic Committees (EOC), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Pan American Sports Organization (PASO)and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).ANOC is represented in a number of IOC Commissions including the Coordination Commissions for Olympic Games; the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS); and the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS), to ensure that the NOC voice is heard within the Olympic Movement.The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the Association and under the new Constitution, an Ordinary General Assembly must be held once a year.All 206 NOCs participate in the General Assembly and the event is also a platform for Olympic stakeholders, especially OCOGs and cities bidding to host the Olympic Games, to address the NOC Family.Between General Assemblies, Executive Council Meetings must be held at least twice a year. The Executive Council includes members of the five Continental Associations elected for a four-year term.In addition to the General Assembly, ANOC owns and runs a number of other events including the ANOC Awards which was launched in 2014 by the ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al Sabah.The Awards is an annual event created to recognise the achievements of the NOCs and their athletes as well as distinguished members of the Olympic Family and it provides an opportunity for the world's NOCs come together in a relaxed and entertaining environment and enjoy an evening celebrating sport.The awards presented each year vary depending on the sporting events that have taken place that year and are decided by an ANOC jury.Administratively, the day to day management and operations of the organisation is handled, in consultation with the President, by its Secretary General from its headquarters in the Olympic Capital, Lausanne, where it has been based since June 2010.Ms Gunilla Lindberg (Sweden), who assumed office in 2004, is presently the Secretary-General of the organisation.

Sanchez appointed as Head Coach for Qatar Olympic Team

Doha, August 29, 2019-The Qatar Football Association's executive committee has decided to appoint Felix Sanchez as the head coach of the Olympic national team.The Spaniard will replace his compatriot Albert Fernandez, and will also remain at the helm of the senior national team, a position he has held since July 2017.The federation's appointment of Sanchez comes ahead of Qatar's participation at the upcoming AFC U-23 Championship, which is set to be held in Thailand in January 2020. The tournament will also serve as a qualifier for next year's Tokyo Olympics.Sanchez has a great track record with Qatar's various national teams, starting with the AFC U-19 Championship victory in 2014, followed by a third place finish at the AFC U-23 Championship in 2018 and finally the historic triumph with the senior team at Asia's most prestigious tournament the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.The association had announced extending Sanchez's contract with the senior national team till 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Team Qatar participate in 2019 World Curling Federation Adult Camp

DOHA, August 28, 2019-The Qatari Curling team participated in the 13th WCF Adult Camp held in Prague last week alongside 60 campers from 23 countries.During the very busy week all aspect of the game was covered by World Class instructors.The campers were able to work with many technical aids like Smartbroom, lasers, Dartfish and wireless timers on dedicated Curling ice.Qatar's participation in the training camp comes light of the preparation for the 2019 Pacific Asia Curling Championships to be held in China in November.Coached by Lajos Belleli, Qatar's squad included; Mubarkah Al Abdulla, Maryam Binali, Hanan Al-Boinin, Nasser Alyafei, Ahmed Al-Fahad, Abdulrahman Alyafei, Abdulrahman Ali and Salem Ali Mohsin.On the other hand, Qatar ice hockey team participated in 2019 IIHF Asian Men's Summer Camp concluded in China on August 12.

ANOC World Beach Games Team Sports Official Draw takes place in Doha

Doha, August 28, 2019-The official team sports draw for the Beach Soccer and Beach Handball competitions at the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 took place in Doha Yesterday , with 24 soccer and 24 handball male and female teams drawn into ten different groups.The official draw took place at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and was broadcast live on national broadcaster, Al Kass, as well as live streamed on the ANOC website. Vice President of the Qatar 2019 Organisng Committee and QOC Secretary General HE Jassim Rashid Al Buenain and ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg opened the draw with welcome remarks before the draw got underway.HE Jassim Rashid Al Buenain said:“It is a pleasure to welcome you to Doha, the capital of our sports loving nation of Doha. On behalf of His Excellency the president of the QOC, as well as all of the Organising Committee, I would like to express our gratitude to ANOC for their trust in selecting us to host the inaugural edition of their elite games. This team sports draw represents another major milestone in the lead up to the Games. This is adding to the excitement that has grown since last June when we signed the host city contract. We wish the participating teams the best of luck and we look forward to welcoming you and all the world's athletes in October."ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg added:“I would like to express our gratitude to the government of Qatar and the Qatar NOC for their enthusiasm and commitment to hosting an unforgettable ANOC World Beach Games. Today we will find out which of the world's best beach soccer teams and beach handball teams will face each other at the ANOC World Beach Games. We are delighted to be joined by representatives from Beach Soccer Worldwide and the International Handball Federation for this draw. We thank them and all participating International Federations for their excellent cooperation and partnership. With their support and the support of the NOCs and all stakeholders in Qatar we have no doubt that the first ever ANOC World Beach Games will be a great success."Sasa Kuburovic, member of the International Handball Federation (IHF) Beach Handball Working Group, led the draw for Beach Handball. Separate draws for the male and female category were held with a total of 12 male and 12 female teams drawn into two groups. The 24 teams qualified for the Games based on results from the last Beach Handball World Championships and Continental Championships.Men​Women​Group AGroup BGroup AGroup BBrazilCroatiaBrazilGreeceSwedenHungaryDenmarkSpainDenmarkSpainHungaryPolandOmanQatarArgentinaChinaUSAUruguayUSAAustraliaAustraliaTunisiaTunisiaVietnam President of Beach Soccer Worldwide Juan Cusco began the draw for Beach Soccer by thanking ANOC for showcasing beach, water and action sports through the ANOC World Beach Games and the QOC for their excellent preparations for the Games. Josep Ponset, Beach Soccer Technical Delegate then led the draw. A total of 16 men's teams were split into four pots through seeding and the drawing of lots and were drawn into four groups, while eight women's teams were split into two pots and drawn into two groups.Men​​​Group AGroup BGroup CGroup DBrazilItalyIranRussiaSwitzerlandSpainParaguayJapanUAEMexicoSenegalUruguayMoroccoSolomon IslandsUkraineEl SalvadorWomen​​​Group A​Group B​Spain​Great Britain​Brazil​Russia​Cape Verde​USA​Mexico​Paraguay​

Qatar, Palestine play to draw in West Asian Youth Championship

Ramallah, August 27, 2019-The Qatari youth football team held their Palestinian counterparts to 2-2 draw in the 2019 West Asian Youth Championship on Monday.The tournament is held from August 22 to 30 with participation of Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, UAE, Qatar and hosts Palestine.Jordan led the standings of Group (A) ahead of Palestine in the second place while Qatar finished the first round in the third place.In the semifinals to be held on Wednesday, Jordan will take on Iraq while UAE will shake hands with Palestine.The Qatar' squad: Yousef Abdullah, Abdullatif Hassan, Abdullah Al Ali, Fahd Al Abdullah, Faisal Mohammed, Talal Ibrahim, Mohammed Mousa, Saif Abdul Rahman and Abdullah Yousif Abdul Rahman Hassan, Nayef Abdul Rahim, Makki Ali, Khalid Ali, Abdulrahman Bilal, Jassim Adel, Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, Jassim Mohammed and Diab Haroun, Hadi Ali, Osama Abdulkarim, Ahmed Al Tayeb and Mohammed Abdulwahab.