Asian Athletics Championships organisers unveil event details ahead of Sunday opening

Doha, April 17, 2019 - The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships announced on Tuesday details about the competition, which will take place at Khalifa International Stadium from 21-24 April.In a press conference held at Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), the organisers briefed the media on the event, which brings together nearly 700 athletes and over 400 officials and coaching staff from 43 Asian countries as the country's top sportsmen and women vie for top honours in the world's most populous continent.The 23rd Asian Athletics Championships will be staged across four action-packed days divided into morning and evening sessions. The morning sessions start at 8:30 am and the evening sessions begin at 4:00 pm.The event will officially start with an opening ceremony at 3:30 announcing the start of the competitions.With the competition serving as an official test event for the IAAF World Athletics Championships that Doha hosts in September, the LOC will test all major operations, including the venue, accreditation and ticketing to ensure a smooth and spotless experience during the global showpiece in just a little over five months.“Next Sunday marks the beginning of the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships where Doha will continue to showcase its legacy in athletics through the world-class facilities and demonstrate its readiness to host the IAAF World Athletics Championships in September for the first time ever in the Middle East," said Dahlan Al Hamad, LOC chairman, president of the Asian Athletics Association and vice president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).“We will be trialling our facilities, security, operations, accreditation, volunteers, and ticketing ahead of the IAAF World Athletics Championships when we greet 3,500 athletes and officials from more than 200 nations as well as more than 10,000 international guests and international media personnel," Al Hamad added.The participating athletes will compete for 186 medals in 21 men's events, 21 women's events, and a mixed relay event that makes its debut in the Asian Athletics Championships.The LOC had put the tickets for sale through the competition's official website https://bit.ly/2Ia5PcG with a ticketing system that mirrors that of the World Championships in September.Starting at an affordable QR 30, tickets provide a wide array of options for the public, whether athletics fans or those looking to learn about the game. Among the ticket categories on sale is the innovative option of finish-line tickets, which offers an exclusive way of watching the event.“We designed the ticketing structure with the new fans in mind. We aim to introduce athletics to new audiences and inspire the young generations to take up athletics, and the ticket prices certainly reflect that," said Fahad Jumaa, vice president and director general of the LOC.Up to 7,000 tickets were made available for purchase per each day of the competition, including a family deal that allows for two adults and two children to secure tickets with a 15% discount. People with disabilities and an accompanying person will enter for free.Speaking of volunteers, Dahlan Al Hamad said: “Volunteers play a very important part in organising any event, and they reflect that development of any nation. In Qatar, the voluntary sector has developed greatly, and we have a large base from different nationalities who are up to join and support in any event. The Asian Athletics Championship will get the support from 470 volunteers."The competition enjoys the support of its two main partners Aseel and Lulu, with the former supplying the event with water and the latter with fruits. The two companies will be working closely with the LOC to ensure an optimal and steady supply for the participating athletes and the guests of the event,The 23rd Asian Athletics Championships will see the usual powerhouses go head-to-head for the number one spot in Asia's athletics. After an initial period of Japanese dominance in the early history of the event, China took over as undisputed champion for 17 consecutive editions until it was unseated by last edition's host and eventual winner, India.Tickets are available for purchase through the official website https://bit.ly/2Ia5PcG

QOA and IOA sign Memorandum of Understanding

ATHENS, Greece, April 17, 2019 – The Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) and the International Olympic Academy (IOA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Greece's capital of Athens.HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Boenain, the QOC Secretary General and Head of QOA board inked on behalf of the academy, meanwhile Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos, the President of International Olympic Academy signed on behalf of IOA, also the ceremony was attended by Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Noaimi, the Executive Director of QOA.The memorandum will allow QOC and QOA employees to participate in all IOA's events and programs, also the IOA will help QOA to open scientific Research Centre and exchange of expertise and information related to sport and Olympic movement. As well as QOA will benefit from IOA's lecturers to hold workshops and training courses at the QOC or QOA. In a post- signing ceremony statement, the QOC Secretary General, Jassim Al Bonain pointed out that the QOC and IOA had already signed the first Memorandum of Understanding in 2014, and now they renewed it for four year duration." QOC is working under the directives of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the President of QOC to strengthen partnership and co-operation relationships with all international organizations to help the QOC performing its pioneer role in serving the Olympic movement at both internal and international levels" added the Secretary General.HE QOC Secretary General appreciated the outstanding success made by QOA over the past years, where QOA programs and training courses received an overwhelming praise locally and internationally. He said the MoU will have a positive impact in bringing more success for the Academy.For his part, QOA Executive Director, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Noaimi outlined that the renewal of this MoU came as a result of IOA's confidence on QOA's valuable programs , events, studies and activities." In Qatar, we were and still being a pioneer nation in boosting the sport development, we got the approval to establish our academy in 2006, so we are the second nation amid 20 countries to receive such approval" added Al Noaimi.

Qatar sailing team to participate in Europe Cup

France, April 16, 2019 – The delegation of Qatar sailing arrived in France to participate in Europe Sailing Open Cup scheduled to get underway in France next week.The state of Qatar is represented by elite of prominent sailors including Waleed Al Sharshani, Fares Bakari and Mohammed Zaini under the supervision of coach Khaled Batit.The prestigious event will bring together champions from Europe, Asia and Arab zone.

Qatar wins two medals in Arab Taekwondo Championship

RABAT, Morocco, April 16, 2019 - Qatar's Taekwondo team confidently clinched two medals, silver and bronze in Arab Taekwondo Championship 2019 took place in Rabat, Morocco.Qatar's Ali Al Arimi seized the silver medal in the Men's under 80kg, meanwhile his teammate Mohammed Nafes won the bronze medal in Men's under 74kg event.The prestigious Arab Taekwondo event brought together players from 10 countries including hosts Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, KSA, Palestine, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, UAE and Mauritania.

QADC organises workshop for Doping Monitors

DOHA, April 16, 2019 - The Qatar Anti Doping Commission (QADC) organised a productive workshop focused light on the missions of Anti doping controllers at the QOC's Losail hall on Saturday.Major General, Hassan Al Obaidely, the Vice Chairman of QADC launched the workshop, delivering a brief presentation on QADC 's role, vision and targets in the upcoming stage.Al Obaidely pointed out QADC's responsibilities in setting up the laws and monitoring procedures to combat doping and conducting tests during pre and post competition.Stefan Meier and Alexander Roeder, experts from implementation team of Modoc System Paperless delivered exhaustive explanation about new system applicable at the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Doha this month.This valuable workshop brought together 64 trainees from Ministries of Health, Defense and Interior.

Stage set for 2019 Doha Diamond League meeting

DOHA, April 16, 2019- The 2019 IAAF Diamond League season will kick off on May 3rd at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, as Qatar gets ready for a busy year of international athletics.This year, the world's most prestigious athletics series celebrates its tenth anniversary, and the season opener in Doha is the first of 14 Diamond League meetings set to take place between May and September. Mohammed Essa Al Fadhalah, Secretary General of the Qatar Athletics Federation and Director of the Tournament said that Doha has completed its preparations to host the event. The 2019 Doha Diamond League will showcase 14 events including 200m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m Steeplechase, shot put, discus throw and pole vault for men in addition to 200m, 800m, 3000, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump and long jump for women.