Katara Beach Volleyball Open to begin on Tuesday

DOHA, March 12, 2019-The 2019 edition of Katara Beach Volleyball Open will begin on Tuesday. The event is organized by the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) in cooperation with Katara Cultural Village.The tournament will bring together 64 teams from 28 countries including Oman, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Venezuela, USA, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Chile, Ukraine, Nigeria, Brazil, Slovenia and Qatar.Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tajin will be out to claim more hometown glory when they return to FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour action at the 4-Star Katara Beach Volleyball Open.In 2018 Cherif and Ahmed won their first World Tour medal with bronze. Later in 2018 they won bronze at the Vienna 5-Star and gold at the AVC Asian Beach Volleyball Championships.The state of Qatar will be also represented by another team including Tamer Abdulrashoul and Ahmed Mahmoud.On the other hand, Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen return to Doha to defend the gold they won in 2018, and the Dutch pair have been seeded seventh.

Sebastian Coe praises Qatar's preparations to host World Championships in Athletics

Doha, March 12, 2019 - The President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lord Sebastian Coe has praised the great work done by the Organizing Committee for the World Championships in Athletics to be held in Doha this year under the chairmanship of HE Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, and HE Vice-Chairman of the Committee Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad, at the end of the two-day meetings of the IAAF Board of Directors held in Doha.Coe said that Doha will organize a special edition of the World Championships in Athletics from September 27 to October 6, 2019, adding that he is confident in Qatar's ability to develop the tournament through this tournament and provide a world-famous edition.The IAAF President expressed his great appreciation to the State of Qatar and its great efforts to develop and support Athletics, and praised the great work he witnessed in Doha as part of its readiness to host the World Championships in Athletics Doha 2019.The press conference organized for the announcement of the IAAF decisions after the meeting of its Board of Directors, revealed details related to the development of the rounds of IAAF Diamond League in order to further spread the game and continue to be present at frequent intervals through competing for fewer races and competitions.HE IAAF Vice-Chairman and President of the Asian Athletics Association Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad, expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful results achieved by the Board of Directors meeting in Doha, especially that the decisions taken will serve the development of Athletics.HE Al Hamad said that the decision to adopt the new global classification will be in the interest of each athlete because the challenge will be greater, contributing to the high level and achieving new records, considering that reducing IAAF Diamond League tournaments will not have negative aspects, but that the expectations are very positive.On the visit of the IAAF to the Stadium of the tournament, HE Al Hamad said that things are positive and the IAAF recognizes that the Organizing Committee is in constant coordination with IAAF and all things are going as planned in advance.

Second edition of Qatar Men’s ITF world tennis tour to begin on Monday

Doha, March 10, 2019-The second edition of the Qatar Men's ITF World Tennis Tour will begin Monday.Three Qatari players will participate in the competition. The players are Mousa and Mubarak Shanan, as well as Jaber Al Mutawa. The total prize money for the competition is $15000. It is organized by Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) in cooperation with International Tennis Federation at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.Director of the competition Saad Al Mohannadi said today that QTF is proud to organize the competition, which will help Qatari players gain experience by competing some of the best young players. He added that the competition will also promote the sport in the region and in the Asian continent, which was another motivation the federation had in organizing the event.​

Wilson sparkles and leads Qatar Masters after 3rd round

DOHA, Qatar , March 10, 2019 - Oliver Wilson grabbed the sole lead of the Qatar Masters by shooting a 3-under 69 in the third round on Saturday despite making his first bogey of the tournament.Wilson finished with a birdie on the 18th for a 10-under total of 206, putting him one shot clear of a quartet of players that included second-round leader Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France, who shot 71.In windy conditions throughout the week, Wilson had managed two flawless rounds before making a bogey on the par-4 fifth hole on Saturday in a round that also included four birdies.''It's really hard to get it close even from the fairways with the wind,'' said Wilson, who is looking for his second European Tour title. ''There's still a long way to go but it's going in the right direction. It's nice to be back in the mix. I didn't play very well today, I struggled a little bit, I didn't feel comfortable with my swing but I managed to keep it in play and hit some good shots when I needed to.''Nick Cullen (68), Nacho Elvira (69) and Erik van Rooyen (70) were tied with Lorenzo-Vera at 9 under.George Coetzee and Justin Harding, who shared the second-round lead with Lorenzo-Vera, fell back into a tie for 10th place after both carded a 73.Jake McLeod made a hole-in-one on the third hole and finished with an eagle for a 6-under 66 that put him into a tie for sixth.​

Her Highness Crowns winner of CHI Al Shaqab International Equestrian Competition

Doha, March 10, 2019 (QNA) - Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) Sheikha Moza bint Nasser crowned Saturday Pieter Devos, winner of CHI Al Shaqab International Equestrian Competition.The three-day event was organized by Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation. It had three separate competitions; show jumping, dressage, and para-dressage. A host of the world's best riders participated in the event.President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned second place winner Nicola Philippaerts, while Alistair Routledge President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar crowned third place winner Emanuele Gaudiano.Yesterday's competitions were attended by a number of the state's ranking officials, in addition to fans of equestrian. (QNA)​

Stage set for Katara Beach Volleyball Open

DOHA, March 11, 2019-The Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) and Katara Cultural Village held a press conference on Sunday to brief media on the 2019 edition of Katara Beach Volleyball Open to begin on Tuesday.The event will bring together 64 teams from 28 countries.The QVA President Ali Al-Kuwari said that local organizing committee has completed its arrangements for the tournament which runs from March 12-16 and which will take place at the Katara Cultural Village for the second year in a row.Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tajin will be out to claim more hometown glory when they return to FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour action at the 4-Star Katara Beach Open.In 2018 Cherif and Ahmed won their first World Tour medal with bronze. Later in 2018 they won bronze at the Vienna 5-Star and gold at the AVC Asian Beach Volleyball Championships.The state of Qatar will be also represented by another team including Tamer Abdulrashoul and Ahmed Mahmoud.On the other hand, Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen return to Doha to defend the gold they won in 2018, and the Dutch pair have been seeded seventh.