Doha set to host Asian Athletics Championships

Doha, April 03, 2019-The organizing committee of the Asian Athletics Championships (Doha 2019) is intensifying preparations to host the 23rd edition of the Championships from April 21-24 at Khalifa International Stadium, with the participation of top athletes from the continent.Dahlan Al Hamad, President of the Asian Athletics Association and Vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, said Doha 2019 will be one of the most important tournaments in the history of Asia as Doha, the world-renowned athletics destination, is set to welcome Asia's top athletes. "I'm thrilled to welcome Asia's elite athletes to Doha, the global hub for athletics, where our outstanding facilities promise to deliver a flawless experience for everyone involved in the event," said Al Hamad.Al Hamad said this edition of the continental athletics showpiece brings together nearly 1,000 athletes and up to 450 officials from 45 countries, who will compete for top honors in the world's most populous continent."Qatar is about to embark on an enthralling summer of first-class athletics with the IAAF Diamond League and IAAF World Athletics Championships to follow as top athletics events staged in Doha. There is no better way to test our preparations for such major events than hosting the Asian Athletics Championships," Al Hamad added.The four-day tournament takes place at Khalifa International Stadium where Innovative and environmentally friendly cooling technology has been successfully operating, ensuring optimal conditions for athletes and fans alike.Over morning and evening sessions in which participating athletes will compete for 186 medals in 21 men's events, 21 women's events in addition to a mixed relay event that makes its debut in the Asian Athletics Championships.The tournament will see the usual continental powerhouses go head-to-head for the number one spot in Asia's athletics. After an initial period of Japanese dominance over the championship, China has taken over as undisputed champion for 17 consecutive editions until it was unseated by last editions hosts and eventual winners, India.With top Asian athletes descending on Doha from the different regions of the continent, the Championships will surely produce promising athletes who can then return to Doha in September and shine on the global stage when the city hosts the World Championships."It's a great honor to welcome some of the finest athletes in the world to Doha for yet another major athletics event. As always, our facilities and infrastructure are ready to help athletes compete at their best and deliver an amazing atmosphere for fans of the game in Qatar and the region," said Qatar Athletics Federation President Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari.Along with the Diamond League round in May, Asian Athletics Championships will be the official test event of the IAAF Worlds, with all major operations, including the venue, transport and accommodation, set to be examined to ensure a smooth and spotless experience during the global showpiece.Doha has a proven track record of bringing international athletics to the region by staging the annual Doha Diamond League, World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2010 and Asian Games in 2006.​

Qatar Olympic Committee celebrates World Health Day

Doha, April 3, 2019 – In effort to strengthen Qatar Olympic Committee's role and responsibility in the local community and to promote for a healthy life free of diseases, the Qatar Olympic Committee marked the World Health day at its Headquarters on Tuesday.To celebrate this significant day, the governing sport body in the country (QOC) hosted a one day medical clinic conducting free medical examinations and consultations for its employees and staff.A batch of consultants from different government and non-government medical institutions in Qatar specialized in cardiology, plastic surgery, diabetes, Dentistry and hypertension conducted accurate examinations and gave advices to most of QOC staff. The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization.​

Qatar’s Yousuf Al Khulaifi wins gold medal in Sarajevo International Championship

Sarajevo, April 02, 2019-Qatar's Yousuf Al Khulaifi won the gold medal of the 100m freestyle event for 13-14 years, with a time 59.20 seconds in the Sarajevo International Swimming Championship, which ended yesterday in in Bosnia and Herzegovina.This is the third Qatari medal in the championship after another gold and bronze medal secured by Qatari swimmer Yaqoub Al Khulaifi.The two swimmers participated in Sarajevo International Swimming Championships as part of the continuous presence of promising Qatari swimmers in international competitions to compete with swimmers from around the world and gain more experience for the upcoming championships and tournaments.

Qatar to take on Chinese Taipei in ITF World Junior Tennis Competition qualifications

Kuala Lumpur, April 2, 2019-The Qatari U14 tennis team will take on Chinese Taipei on Tuesday in the Asia-Oceania Final Qualifying event for ITF World Junior Tennis Competition. The Qatari delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday to participate in the event to conclude on April 07. The state of Qatar is represented by Nasser Al Yafei, Rashed Nawaf and Meshari Nawaf. The event features the participation of China, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Qatar, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Syria, New Zealand, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka. The four top teams will qualify to the ITF World Junior Tennis Competition to be staged in Czech Republic in August 2019.

Ma Long wins ITTF Qatar Open title

Doha, April 01, 2019-Reigning Olympic and world champion Ma Long overcame a long-lay off due to injury to win his fourth ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open title here on Sunday afternoon.“I feel very happy to win again in Doha, but the most important thing is that I've regained my fitness," Ma said after he beat No.2 seed Lin Gaoyuan 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9.It was his first major success since August which will boost the 30-year-old ahead of next month's World Championships in Budapest (Hungary) where he will join compatriots Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, Lin and Liang Jingkun as China's quintet in the men's singles category.The Worlds will be held from April 21-28.The former world no.1 was a revelation after missing top international events due to knee injury. His campaign in the Qatari capital was that of a star, who was confident to rebuild his image and reputation as world's most adorable paddler.A niggling left knee injury since last August saw him withdrew from the ITTF World Tour Opens in Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria and 2018 World Cup“I've played in Qatar Open many times in the past. This time was special for me as I came here from a long lay-off to win a major title," said Ma, who has won the 2013, 2016 and 2017 editions.Fourth seed Wang Manyu was in top form after she dethroned defending champion Liu Shiwen in the women's singles final which was held after the men's podium ceremony. Wang, who won 11-3, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5, picked up her fifth ITTF World Tour singles title and added to already won in Austria (2017) followed by her triumphs in China, Hungary and Hong Kong last year.

Qatar’s Al Khulaifi wins gold and bronze medals in Sarajevo

Sarajevo, April 01, 2019-The Qatari swimmer Yaqoub Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi won the gold medal of 100m butterfly event for boys under 18 years old in the Sarajevo International Swimming Championships.Al Khulaifi also claimed the bronze medal of men's 100m butterfly event in the Bosnia and Herzegovina meet.It worth mentioning that Al Khulaifi qualified to the Youth Olympic Games held in Argentina last years.