QOC Winter Camp hosted Beach Volleyball and 3x3 Basketball events

DOHA, March 3 , 2019- The Beach Volleyball and 3x3 basketball competitions were successfully organized at the QOC winter camp (Al Enna) at Sealine area on Friday.In the 3x3 basketball event, Ramez team confidently claimed the first place ahead of Ubuntu who managed in the second place, while the third place went to Limids team.In the Women's beach volleyball event, Ubuntu team seized the first place, the second place grabbed by Bisdak and the third place went to the Expats team.A number of sport , entertainment and cultural events will run at the Qatar Olympic Committee's camp in the upcoming weeks.Al Enna is a tourism development project that aims to enhance the winter camping experience in Qatar, protect the environment, and ensure public safety.It is spearheaded by NTC with the support of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Works Authority Ashghal, Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, Batabit, Mawater, Katara Hospitality, and QSports.

OCA General Assembly begins in Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand, March 3, 2019-The 38th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) began in Bangkok on Saturday.The OCA President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, welcomed the delegates to the Arnoma Hotel in the presence of Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sport, Mr Weerasak Kowsurat, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Thailand National Olympic Committee President, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwang.Also, in attendance were the QOC Second Vice President HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, the QOC Secretary General HE Mr. Jassim Al Buenain and Director of the QOC Sport Affairs Department Khaleel Al Jabir.Sheikh Ahmad praised the role of Bangkok and Thailand in the development of the Olympic movement in Asia and said all sports leaders appreciated the hosting and organisational capability of the Kingdom.After the official speeches, the OCA showed a short video of the history of the Asian Games, which dates back to the First Far Eastern Championship Games in 1913 in Manila before the first Asian Games took place in 1951 in New Delhi. With the next two Asian Games host cities already decided through to 2026, this gives the movement a history of 113 years.The OCA Award of Merit was presented to three people who have contributed much to the sports movement in Asia: former OCA Information and Statistics Committee Chairman Bahram Afsharzadeh (Iran NOC), Jean Hammam, President of Lebanon Olympic Committee, and Erick Thohir, President of Indonesia NOC and Chairman of the 18th Asian Games organising committee INASGOC.The Sheikh Fahad Hiroshima Asia Sports Fund award was presented to the former Mayor of Hiroshima at the 1994 Asian Games, Takashi Hiraoka. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the OCA's 12th Asian Games in the Japanese city. Mr Hiraoka was the Mayor from 1991 to 1999.Eris Herryanto, who was Secretary General of the 18th Asian Games organising committee INASGOC, reviewed the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang which involved 17,000 athletes and team officials from 45 National Olympic Committees, 11,000 media and 13,000 volunteers. He reported that the Games had attracted 1.7 million domestic visitors and 79,000 international tourists.

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad crowns winners of Longines Global Champions Tour 1st round

​Doha, March 3, 2019- President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned Saturday the winners of the first round of Longines Global Champions Tour, organized by Al Shaqab over the past three year.A host of the world's best horsemen participated in the competition which has a prize money of 750,000 Euros.Julien Epaillard and Usual Suspect Dauge triumphed in the first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of 2019 with a masterful galloping victory in Doha. The French star was first into the five-strong jump off and punched the air in delight when he realised last man in Ben Maher and Explosion W had narrowly failed to beat him. Epaillard became the first qualifier for the prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs later this year.Thrilled by his victory Epaillard said: "It is crazy for me today. I had planned to ride a different horse. But I changed my plan I was so surprised to be clear in the first round. And I was first in the jump off. I was not thinking to win the GP but it was fantastic."Spectacular aerial images showed the full scale of the dramatic show jumping stage in Doha looking across to the stunning City skyline as the worlds best riders and horses powered up for the LGCT Grand Prix with their eyes fixed firmly on the championship race.In the Global Champions League, the Shanghai Swans soared to the lead in Doha, with a high octane competition at AL SHAQAB seeing many of the very best horse and rider combinations crumbling under pressure.Experienced Swans duo of Daniel Deusser and Pius Schwizer kept cool heads in the Qatari heat, pulling out a flawless performance to deliver the only faultless score of the event, finishing ahead of Valkenswaard Uniteds pairing of Bertram Allen and Frank Schuttert, with New York Empires Scott Brash and Hans-Dieter Dreher taking third.A delighted Daniel said "We have a very good team, but still in the end you have to get the job done! We had a strong day on Thursday, and two clear rounds today - I have a super partner with Pius, so were very happy."Pius praised his teammates, both equine and human: "My horse jumped amazing, and in my mind Daniel is the best rider in the world at the moment, so thank you Daniel!"Despite their early win, Daniel remained humble about the long season ahead, and the strength of the teams this season."I expected more teams on a double clear today, but it showed the course was tough. There were faults everywhere. Its a long season, but the first step is done so we hope to continue like this."Commercial Manager of Al Shaqab and director of the competition Omar Khalid Al Mannai expressed his satisfaction with the special atmosphere of the first round. He said in the press conference today that they are delighted that the Longines Global Champions Tour has Doha as part of its round. He added that they always look to ensure the level of competition reflects the status of Qatar in general and Al Shaqab in particular. He added that he did not expect the participation of such a number of world champions, highlighting that it was something that entertained the fans.He said that Al Shaqab is always thinking of ways to latch onto the high standard and performance of this event for the youth, as they have an international camp which is with the event. He added that it was also a cultural exchange between 14 countries and 21 riders. they started already and continue until the next event, in-between there will be clinics, and with some of the big names so they can give their experience to the younger generation.He added that negotiations are still ongoing to host future rounds of Longines Global Champions Tour in the coming years. Al Mannai thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the tournament. He pointed out that they will continue to work in preparation for the Al Shaqab International Championship, which will kick off on Thursday and will last three days. He added that they will organize a press conference on Tuesday to announce the details.Co-Founder GCL Jan Tops said that "It is a real art to get this result, our course builder Uliano Vezzani knows the facility and the riders. It was the right number today, Julian was knocking on the door all week - he always gives his maximum, and Im very pleased he will have the first ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix. Ben was so close - last year he won four LGCT Grand Prix so I think he will be there as well."

HH the Amir Bowling Cup to begin on Saturday

DOHA, March 2, 2019-The competitions of HH the Amir Bowling Cup will begin on Saturday at Qatar International Bowling Center.The 2019 edition will bring together players from Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Kuwait, Morocco, USA, Bangladesh and Qatar.In Men's event, the state of Qatar will be represented by Jassim Al Meraikhi, Mohammad Al Meraikhi, Ghanim Bu Jassoum, Yousef Al Jaber, Abdulrahman Al Jaidah, Saoud Abdullah and Nasser Al Sahouti.The youth event will feature the participation of Qatar's Sultan Al Qatan, Hazeem Al Meraikhi, Ali Al Kebaisi, Nasser Al Mansouri, Badr Al Sadah and Saad Al Sulaiti.The Qatari youth bowling team will also participate in Asian School Bowling Championships to be staged in Hong Kong in July 2019.

Skeet event kicks off at Qatar Open Shotgun Championship

DOHA, March 2, 2019 – The skeet competitions at the Qatar Open Shotgun to got underway at Lusail Shooting Range on Friday.More than 100 shooters (men and women) took part in the skeet preliminary round at Lusail Shooting Range on Friday.In the two-day long event, Qatar is represented by Nassir Al Attiyah, Abdulaziz Al Attiyiah, Rashid Saleh, Masood Saleh, Hassan Al Manae, Reem Al Sharshani, Amal Ahmed, Hagir Mohammed.Qatar Open Shotgun Championship is witnessing participation of 280 shooters from 38 nations, including Qatar , Australia, Croatia, China, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, USA, Ukraine, Malaysia, Poland, Peru, Pakistan, Lithuania , India, Georgia, Denmark and UK.

Her Highness attends second day of Longines Global Champions Tour's First Round

​Doha, March 02, 2019-(QNA) - Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani attended yesterday the second day of the first round of Longines Global Champions Tour organized by Qatar Foundation Al Shaqab over three days, where a host of the world's best horsemen compete around the world for prize money worth 750,000 Euros. (QNA)