Bassem Mohammed flawless and fastest on Wathnan Zodiak

Doha: Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed delivered a composed performance to claim top honours in the CSI5* 145cm class at the Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup, part of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, held at the Longines Arena of Al Shaqab on Saturday.Riding Wathnan Zodiak, Bassem produced a flawless round to finish clear in a time of 69.45 seconds, narrowly edging Syria’s Mohamad Mogheeth Alshehab on Saphir Z, who clocked 69.69 seconds, while Jordan’s Nasouh Kayali aboard Kamacho P.S. completed the podium after stopping the clock at 69.70 seconds in a tightly contested competition featuring 17 participants.In the CSI3* 145cm faults and time class, Austria’s Gerfried Puck secured victory on Idiaal Special H.J. with a clear round in 70.61 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Bader Alfard finished second riding Kimberly in 72.63 seconds, followed by compatriot Abdullah Alsharbatly on Quisandro in 77.17 seconds.Italy’s Juan Carlos Garcia triumphed in the CSI3* 140cm immediate jump-off class with Django du Marais, producing double clear rounds in 33.09 seconds. Kuwait’s Yara Al Hunaidi on Caprice 563 finished second in 34.40 seconds, while Egypt’s Mustafa Saed guided Rambling Loon to third place in 34.47 seconds.The CSI1* 135cm Grand Prix with jump-off saw Qatar’s Khalid Jassim Al Suwaidi take the win aboard E.T’s Queeny Z after posting a faultless jump-off in 31.20 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al Hadi finished close behind on Carlton de Sauvageonn in 31.64 seconds, while Qatar’s Yaqoub Nasser Al Mass claimed third place riding Ozenne in 32.40 seconds.In the CSI3* 130cm special two-phase class, Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi emerged victorious with L-Ballerin LB in 37.05 seconds, ahead of Iraq’s Zayed Ali on Bali Ppz in 38.46 seconds. Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi secured third place riding Mukaynis in 39.21 seconds.Qatar riders dominated the CSI1* 120cm faults and time class, with Ahmad Jassim A A Al Suwaidi claiming first place on Power Girl Jmg in 49.98 seconds. Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei finished second aboard Flash du Puits in 52.73 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Halah Alrasheed took third place riding Cruising On The Ridge in 55.20 seconds.In the junior Group VII qualifier over 1.20m with a jump-off, Qatar’s Hadi Nasser Al Hajri secured victory riding Monopoly with a double clear round in 37.19 seconds. Fellow Qatari Ali Omar Al Ansari finished second on Nikita Eindeken Z, while Mohammed Eisa Al Bukhari placed third riding Lisa Perina F.The children’s Group VII qualifier over 1.10m saw Abdulla Tamim Al Thani take top honours aboard Cassandra 352 after completing a double clear round in 25.06 seconds. Layan Sultan Al Thani finished second on Dino Bb Z in 25.62 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Alanoud Alrasheed claimed third place riding Love You Smh in 27.71 seconds.More than 170 riders representing 21 countries competed across one- to five-star categories over four days, vying for a total prize purse of €784,000.The championship concludes on Sunday with the feature Grand Prix classes in the three- and five-star categories, alongside additional competitions at heights ranging from 135cm to 150cm. 

Sheikh Joaan chairs 39th General Assembly Meeting of the QOC

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) held today its 39th General Assembly meeting for the year 2026.The meeting was chaired by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, in the presence of H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the QOC; H.E. Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the QOC; H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the QOC; along with presidents and representatives of the sports federations and committees affiliated with the QOC.During the meeting, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his appreciation to the sports federations and committees, commending the achievements of Qatari national teams across various sports during 2025. He also urged them to intensify their efforts in the coming phase, particularly in light of key upcoming events, foremost among them the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.The General Assembly proceedings commenced with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting (No. 38), held on 5 December 2024. This was followed by a presentation highlighting the QOC’s sporting achievements in 2025, as well as upcoming major events to be hosted by Qatar, including the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026, the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, the West Asian Youth Games 2027, and the FIVB Volleyball World Championship Qatar 2029.The meeting also reviewed upcoming multi-sport events, including the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, in April 2026; the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, in September 2026; the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2026; and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2026.During the meeting, the General Assembly also approved the admission of the Qatar Police Sports Federation and the Qatar Military Sports Association as members of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The Assembly also reviewed the QOC’s budget for the fiscal years 2025–2026 and approved the final accounts for the fiscal years 2024–2025. 

Qatar edged by China as Kiwis clinch FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup

DOHA - The Qatar 3x3 basketball national team concluded its participation in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup on Sunday following a narrow 17–20 defeat to China in the quarter-finals of the tournament.The team bid farewell to the competition following a spirited campaign marked by competitive performances and ambitions to advance further in one of the strongest editions of the championship.The clash against China was intense and evenly matched for most of the game, before the Chinese side sealed victory in the final minutes with a three-point margin.Later, Australia (women) and New Zealand (men) completed dominant, unbeaten runs to be crowned as the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026 champions, capping a dramatic final day.Australia’s road to the women’s title was far from straightforward. They needed a dramatic comeback in the Semi-Finals, where Amy Atwell’s late heroics lifted them past China, 21-20, before taking full control in the Final over Philippines, 18-9, to extend their dynasty in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, claiming the tittle for the 6th time.New Zealand, meanwhile, dethroned men’s defending champions Australia earlier in the day, with Te Tuhi Lewis catching fire from deep to lead a 21-16 Semi-Finals win. They maintained that momentum in the Final, controlling Republic of Korea with disciplined offense and timely shot-making before icing the game, 21-15. Beyond the champions, the tournament marked historic breakthroughs.The Philippines (women) reached their first-ever FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup Final. Led by Afril Bernardino and Kacey Dela Rosa, they showcased resilience and growth, ultimately securing a landmark silver medal -- their first podium finish in the competition.Republic of Korea (men) also made history, advancing to their first FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup Final despite battling adversity, including playing the Semi-Finals with a shortened rotation. Their run to silver signals a major step forward for the program. China meanwhile capped a consistent campaign with Broze medals in both competitions.

QOC Secretary General: General Assembly Decisions Reinforce the Future of Sport in Qatar

H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), emphasized the importance of the topics discussed during the 39th QOC General Assembly meeting, particularly those related to the latest developments in the sports sector and supporting the continued progress of Qatari sport. He noted that the outcomes of the meeting will contribute to advancing the efforts of the QOC and strengthening its role in elevating sport across all levels.He explained that the QOC continues its dedicated efforts to develop the sports sector and reinforce Qatar’s presence across regional, continental, and international platforms, guided by an ambitious vision aimed at advancing the sports system and achieving further accomplishments, under the leadership of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the QOC.Al Buenain pointed out that recent sporting engagements have represented an important milestone in the journey of the QOC. witnessing the achievement of numerous successes that have contributed to strengthening the position of Qatari sport, both in terms of participation and in the organization and hosting of major events. He noted that this reflects the scale of efforts exerted by the QOC in cooperation with national sports federations, as well as technical and administrative teams, and the collective commitment to continuously developing the sports system.The Secretary General added that the upcoming phase carries particular importance, especially in light of Qatar’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2036, which represents a national priority requiring unified efforts and integrated roles. This, he noted, will enhance Qatar’s prospects of securing the honor of hosting and further consolidate its position as a global sports destination.He also stressed the significance of upcoming participations, most notably the 20th Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, later this year, which represent a key milestone and a priority within the framework of early preparations for the 21st Asian Games (Doha 2030). In this context, he underscored the importance of strengthening joint efforts between the QOC and national sports federations to elevate the performance of national teams across all sports and achieve further accomplishments that will raise Qatar’s profile on the international stage.H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain further noted that the admission of the Qatar Police Sports Federation and the Qatar Military Sports Association into the membership of the QOC represents a strategic step toward enhancing sports integration, exchanging technical and administrative expertise, and developing qualified sports cadres. This will contribute to improving the overall performance of national teams and further strengthening Qatar’s presence and distinction in international sporting arenas.The QOC Secretary General concluded by extending his sincere thanks and appreciation to the boards of directors of Qatari sports federations, as well as all technical and administrative staff, for their dedicated efforts and continued contributions, praising their vital role in achieving success and enhancing the standing of Qatari sport at all levels. 

Fitzgerald wins Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship

DOHA - English golfer Calum Fitzgerald claimed the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship title after a commanding final round, finishing the tournament with a total of 225 strokes, nine over par at Doha Golf Club on Saturday.The victory also secures him a coveted place in the next edition of the prestigious Qatar Masters.Fitzgerald, who also won the 2024 edition of the tournament, expressed his delight at returning to the top.“I thank my father, who acted as my coach and was a great help throughout the tournament. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the course is one of the best in the world. I’m delighted to be back and to win the title two years after my 2024 victory,” he said.“I’m looking forward to returning again, this time at the Qatar Masters, where I will strive to reach the later stages of the tournament,” he said.Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hamad Abdullah Al Mana crowned the winners whileQGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser Al Nuaimi, and Board Member Mohammed Faisal Al Naimi were also present. QGA Technical Expert Mike Shoueiry and Member of QGA’s Organising Committee Walid Saad hosted the presentation ceremony.Qatari golfer Saleh Al Kaabi, the defending champion, finished second with a total of 12 over par after a strong performance throughout the competition. His compatriot, rising star Daniel Sokolov, claimed third place, just one stroke behind.Other notable finishers included Dean Morris of the United Kingdom in fourth with the same score, England’s Andrew Saunders in fifth at 14 over par, and Australia’s Cam Craner in sixth with 24 over par.Scotland’s Gary Bowman was seventh, Sweden’s Claes Beberg ninth, and Bolivian Pablo Hevia completed the top ten in tenth place at 30 over par.Secretary-General of the Qatar Golf Association Fahad Al Nuaimi praised the success of the 40th edition of the tournament.“I would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee for allowing us to host this prestigious tournament, which is very dear to the Qatar Golf Association. This is especially significant as this is the 40th edition of the championship, which has been running for over 40 years since its inception in 1983 on the sand courses in Mesaieed,” he said.Al Nuaimi highlighted the participation of international players and noted Fitzgerald’s repeat victory.“The English player succeeded in winning the title, repeating his achievement from two years ago in the 2024 edition, when he also won the title at the Doha Golf Club,” he added while praising the Qatari contingent.“The second-place finish of Qatari national team players Saleh Al Kaabi and Daniel Sokolov demonstrates the excellent level they displayed in this year’s edition alongside their fellow Qatari participants,” Al Nuaimi said.

High-Level Competition Continues at Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup

Doha:  The Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup maintained its strong momentum at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab, as part of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, with a wide international turnout. More than 170 riders from 21 countries are competing across One-Star to Five-Star categories over four days, with total prize money reaching €784,000.The CSI5* 155cm jump-off class saw Qatar’s Faleh Suwaid Al Ajami secure top spot with a time of 44.10 seconds. Brazil’s Sergio Neupman followed in second place in 45.12 seconds, while Santiago Lambert completed the podium in third with 48.49 seconds.In the One-Star 115cm class, Saudi Arabia’s Hala Al Rashid claimed first place in 32.66 seconds, ahead of Qatar’s Ibrahim Khalid Al Kuwari in 34.72 seconds, while Mohammed Al Ghazali finished third in 35.54 seconds.Qatar’s Alia Ahmed Al Khater led the Children’s 105cm class with a winning time of 30.48 seconds. Layan Sultan Al Thani took second place in 32.19 seconds, followed by Saudi Arabia’s Al Anoud Al Rashid in third with 32.81 seconds.In the Junior 115cm class, Saudi Arabia’s Nora Al Rashid delivered a standout performance, securing both first and third places with times of 30.37 and 31.53 seconds. Qatar’s Hadi Nasser Al Hajri finished second in 31.26 seconds.Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al Hadi continued his strong showing by winning the One-Star 130cm class in 55.68 seconds. Qatar’s Yaqoub Nasser Al Maas placed second in 59.59 seconds, while Abdulaziz Khaled Al Bukhari came third in 61.82 seconds.In the CSI3* 140cm class, Kuwait’s Anaz Al Anaz claimed first place in 65.74 seconds, followed by Austria’s Gerfried Puck in 69.77 seconds, with Kuwait’s Fawaz Rashid finishing third in 72.97 seconds.At 130cm in the same category, Saudi Arabia’s Badr Al Fard took first place with a time of 71.40 seconds. Qatar’s Mohammed Khalifa Al Baker secured second in 74.13 seconds, while France’s Sirine Sherif placed third in 80.78 seconds.The day concluded with the CSI3* 135cm class, where Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al Hadi claimed another victory in 33.33 seconds. Qatar’s Saad Ahmed Al Saad finished second in 34.69 seconds, while Sheikh Fahad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani took third place in 34.85 seconds.