QSA President affirms readiness to stage FINA Marathon Swim World Series Doha

Doha, February 15, 2019- The organizing committee of the FINA Marathon Swim World Series Doha 2019 held on Thursday a press conference announcing the Marathon which will be held on Saturday with the participation of 136 Swimmers from around the world.Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) President and FINA Bureau Member Khaleel Al Jabir, and International Swimming Federation (FINA) Technical Delegate John West, alongside Olympic Gold Medalist Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) and Simone Ruffini (ITA) spoke on the occasion."I would like to welcome all the swimmers for the FINA Marathon, we are holding the event for the second time and I am happy the number has increased from the last time. We are ready to host these world's best swimmers," said Khaleel Al Jabir."Qatar will host this FINA Marathon till 2021 and it is very good for us as everybody knows Qatar will host the World Championships in 2023, where this competition is one of the events. We are getting a lot of experience by hosting this competition, as we prepare for the World Championships, in which more than 15,000 athletes will take part in Doha," he added.On the Qatari participation QSA president said that two Qataris will be participating in the tournament, namely Abdulrahman Hesham and Ahmed Tariq. The participation of Qatari swimmers comes as part of preparing them for future events, he added.Al Jabir stressed that QSA attaches great importance to all aquatics, pointing that hosting such international events helps advancing the swimmers' abilities and experience.On organizing the Doha Open Water Challenge Championship on Friday, which precedes the first round of the FINA Marathon Swim, QSA pesident Khalil Al Jaber said: "The aim of the Doha Open Water Challenge Championship is to provide the public with the opportunity to participate in a race that takes place in the same course as the World Championships in an exclusive and unique experience where they can enjoy all the facilities and equipment of the world champions.FINA Technical delegate John West said: "Over the past couple of days, we have been reviewing all the arrangements for the competition, and we are very pleased with the level of organization and cooperation we are receiving. We would like to thank QSA for hosting the opening meet of the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2019.""We give a report on every event. Those reports identify how the competition ran and also if there is room for improvement. Every year we try to make improvements just to make the event better. I think I am very happy about all of the details that we are receiving," he said adding "We have a very strong field. We have good conditions so we are looking forward to a very good race"."Conditions are looking very good. I like the water temperature, I like 20 degrees. The course is excellent again like last year and its always good to be back in Doha," said Van Rouwendaal."Last year, I ended up winning it though my preparations were not good. This year, I feel strong but the other girls are also strong. The field will be strong and tough so I will try my best," she added.A total of 136 swimmers including 84 male and 52 female athletes from 24 countries are taking part in this spectacular event.The day prior to the FINA Marathon, Qatari residents will participate in the Corniche waters, swimming the same course at the Doha Open Water Challenge on February 15.A total of 338 swimmers have signed up for different categories available in the event, which is open to the public.

QWSC announces sport program for season 2019

DOHA, February 14, 2019 – The Qatar Winter Sports Committee (QWSC) has unveiled its sport program for the season 2019 on Wednesday.The QWSC will participate in a number of championships and training programs in the season 2019, including 2019 World Doubles Curling Championship in Norway in April, international Ice Hockey training program in Finland in July and local workshops and training programs for Ice Hockey in Doha .The QWSC will also hold a number of domestic training programs for Asian Curling Championship 2019 which is scheduled to take place in China in October.

Stage set for Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship

DOHA, February 14, 2019 - More than 100 players from 33 countries will take part in the 33rd edition of the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship, which will be held at the Doha Golf Club from Thursday.The three-day Individual Strokeplay tournament has added importance as its winner, top three Qatari players and top three professionals will get to match their skills with some of the best players on the European Tour's Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, to be held from March 7. The local spotlight will be on 2017 runner-up Saleh al-Kaabi, Ali al-Shahrani and Jaham al-Kuwari.“Undoubtedly, this is the strongest amateur tournament in the Middle East. With the event having a WAGR status, the competitors will be keen to collect maximum points and improve their rankings so as to qualify for the big events," Qatar Golf Association (QGA) general secretary Fahad Al-Naimi told a Press conference at the Doha Golf Club Wednesday.“This is one of the oldest tournaments in the region and since last year, the tournament has seen the participation of some of the best international professionals, and we have decided to increase the competitiveness of the tournament. This year's tournament includes 22 professionals and 80 amateurs," he said.Last year, Pakistani teenager Ahmed Baig registered a one-shot victory ahead of Morocco's Ayoub Omar. In the professional category, England's Joshua White won while two-time winner on the European Tour Simon Khan finished second as Jean-Michel Hall came third, in an all English sweep in the pro category.This is the second time professionals are participating in the tournament with the organising committee awarding the best three results from the professionals a spot in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.The four-day tournament will be held at the Doha Golf Club course with 138 top-ranked players in the world competing for the title in the 22nd edition of the tournament. Two-time Qatar Masters champion Paul Lawrie's son Craig Lawrie will also be vying for the European Tour event slot.The other professional players taking part in the tournament are Thomas Strandemo, Adrian Meronk, Guiraud Alexis, Mateusz Gradecki, Steven Troup, Niclas Johansson, Jordan Massey, Mike Elliott, David Moreland, Scott Puzey, Morgan Jackson, Rocco Sanjust, Victor Riu, Michael James Steyn, Darryl Gwilliam, Mike Toorop, Peter Erofejeff, Todd Clements, Anwar Ali, Jean-Michel Hall, Lucas Norman and Alfie Plant.Qatari team players are coming into the championship with some good performances in the World, Asian, Arab and Gulf Championship. Talking about Qatar players' chances in the tournament, QGA general manager Gary McGlinchey said: “I think it is a great opportunity for the local players. Saleh al-Kaabi is 4-under par this week and he is hard to beat."QGA executive director Mohamed Faisal Al-Naimi and InterContinental Doha Hotel general manager Andreas Pfister were also present on the occasion. Royal Air Maroc, InterContinental Doha Hotel and AlKalive are the sponsors for the tournament.

Halep, Kerber reaches Qatar Total Open Quarterfinals

DOHA, February 14, 2019-Tennis star and top seed Simona Halep of Romania on Wednesday beat Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine to reach the quarter-finals of the Qatar Total Open.Halep won 6-2, 6-3 win in just 1 hour 19 minutes. The victory also ensured that Halep, 27, will rise to number two when the new world rankings are released on Monday.The third day of the tournament was attended by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.In the quarter-finals, Halep will meet Germany's Julia Goerges who on Wednesday beat American Alison Riske 6-1, 6-7, 6-4.Earlier on Wednesday, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine beat Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in straight sets to reach the last eight of the tournament. Svitolina, who got a wild card for the six-day tournament, won 6-4, 6-4.Svitolina will meet qualifier Karolina Muchova of Russia in the quarter-finals. Muchova on Wednesday beat Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei 6-2, 6-4.In another match, Elise Mertens of Belgium beat lucky loser Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 7-6 in 1 hour and 47 minutes.Also on Wednesday, Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands beat former champion Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. Bertens won 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 in 84 minutes on Court Number 1. Bertens will meet Mertens in quarter-finals on Thursday.Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic beat qualifier Anna Blinkova of Russia 6-0, 3-6, 6-0 in 1 hour 54 minutes. Strycova fired two aces in her fighting win.In the last match of the day, No.3 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany beat Estonia's Anett Kontaveit. Kerber won 6-1, 7-6. Kerber will meet Strycova in the quarter-finals.

Sheikh Joaan: Sport Day Reflects Leadership's Interest in Sport and its Role in Building Society

Doha, February 13, 2019- HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani has described Qatar Sport Day as a special occasion celebrated by citizens and residents in Qatar.In a statement on the Qatar Sport Day's occasion, His Excellency said the State of Qatar is one of the first countries in the world to dedicate a paid sport day as an official holiday to exercise sports. This reflects the interest of the wise leadership in sport and its most important role in building human being in the country, he said, adding that sport is one of the most important factors in the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.This year's Sport Day celebrations coincide with several sporting achievements by Qatar, most notably after the first football team claimed Asian Cup, where the players overcame difficulties and demonstrated their ability to claim a deserved win, he said, adding the win is the result of efforts continued over the years and they are the best example for our youth.HE QOC President pointed out that Qatar has turned into a large sports arena in which everyone is practicing all kinds of sports. In this day, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of sport and encourage its practice to become a lifestyle because of its physical and health benefits for individuals and communities, and to become a general culture in all segments of society. The regular practice of sports protects against diseases and contribute to the creation of healthy and sound communities that can perform the tasks of building countries, contribute and maintain their development. In this aspect, Qatar boasts mega sport facilities and institutions available across the country.Also, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, said that 'Falah' which was unveiled today as the mascot of IAAF World Athletics Championships, and coincides with the sport day, reflects Qatar's original heritage and is a title of ambition, courage and success.HE QOC President added that unveiling of the IAAF World Athletics Championships mascot comes within the framework of the action plan to highlight the global sporting challenge at an honorable level worthy of Qatar's reputation and status and its achievements and leadership on all levels.HE QOC President expressed hope that the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which Qatar is hosting for the first time in the Middle East this year, will be a historical event that will last for generations in the State of Qatar and the Middle East region and will remain a bridge of convergence, love and harmony among the world's champions and peoples. (QNA)

HH Sheikha Moza Attends QF's National Sport Day Celebrations

Doha, February 13, 2019 - HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), yesterday attended QF's National Sport Day celebrations at Education City.The National Sport Day activities at QF were also attended by HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation; HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani; Executive Director at United Nations Office for Partnerships Robert Skinner ; US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad; and US Olympic swimmer Conor Dwyer, as well as members of the wider community.QF National Sport Day celebrations comes part of its efforts to develop society and promote community participation by encouraging all members of the community to adopt sport as a lifestyle and to motivate various segments of society to exercise continuously.Sporting events and activities catering to all ages and interests took place in four locations: Oxygen Park, the Ceremonial Court, the Ceremonial Green Spine, and Multaqa (Education City Student Center).The celebrations officially began with the Qatar Cyclists Tour, spanning a 20km route that began and ended at QF.Skinner said: "I've been involved, and am familiar, with Qatar Foundation's work in education and in helping address international goals, such as education, in a sustainable way. This is the first time I've participated in Qatar's and QF's National Sport Day activities, and I'm amazed at the response."To be successful on the international stage, a country has to address the Sustainable Development Goals at grassroots level, and QF is certainly helping to contribute to this. Sport, health, and lifestyle choices are sustainable goals of any country, and today I can see that QF's message has reached the local audience in Qatar - the response I see is great," he said.A new addition to QF's National Sport Day celebrations was an obstacle course called the QF Race. Featuring 17 different challenges across more than 2km in Oxygen Park, the event was designed to put visitors' speed, agility, stamina, and determination to the test. A smaller-scale obstacle course tailored for younger participants, the QF Mini Track, was also on offer. (QNA)