Qatar ExxonMobil 2019 Open draw held

DOHA, December 30, 2018-World No. Novak Djokovic, a two time winner here, will start his season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with a match against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina while second seed Dominic Thiem will be up against Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France as the tournament kicks on Monday.The tournament which will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex will witness performance from some of the world top players including Nikolov Basilashvili, David Goffin, Karen Khachanov and this year's French Open semifinalist Marco Cecchinato.The draw ceremony of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2019, a $1.3 million total purse event, was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha on Saturday.In attendance at the draw were Tareq Zainal, General Coordinator of the tournament, Tournament Director Karim Alami as well as QTSBF Executive Director Saad al Mohannadi and officials of Qatar ExxonMobil Open.Players at the event are Netherland's Robin Haase, Italy's Marco Cecchinato, Marius Copil of Romania and Herbert of France.With the result of the draw, Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland will play against Russia's KarenKhachanov while Belgian Roberto Vautista Agut, the seventh seeded player, will square it up against Matteo Berrettini of Italy.A total of 32 players vying for honour and glory in the Singles while 16 teams are in the doubles.Tareq Zainal, General Coordinator of the tournament said, “We are all set and fully prepared. We are all waiting for the spectators to make it another exciting event. The QTF also hopes for all success to the players. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open is one of the biggest tournaments of the region and we are happy to prove ourselves year after year."“This tournament is a great achievement not only because of the world class players on parade but it also underlies Qatar's capacity to organize very successful international sports events. We have been hosting this tournament for over 27 years now, and it has become a part of our culture. We wish all the best to the players," Tournament Director Karim Alami said.

Qatar national football team line up for AFC Asian Cup

DOHA, December 30, 2018- The Qatari football team will take on their Iranian counterparts in a friendly match on Monday in preparation for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The tournament will be staged from January 5 to February 1 in the UAE. Qatar will play in Group E with North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.Earlier on Thursday, Qatar lost 0-1 to Algeria in a tune up friendly, Al Sadd ace striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored for the winners on 55 minutes.Coach Felix Sanchez announced Qatar's Asian Cup squad. The list includes 23 players: Saad Al Dosari, Pedro Miguel, Abdul Karim Hassan, Tareq Salman, Hamed Ismael, Hassan Al Heidos, Akram Hassan Afif, Salem Al Hajri, Khoheki Boualem, Karim Boudeif, Bassam Al Rawi, Maaz Ali, Ali Hassan Afif, Assem Madibo, Ahmed Fathi, Youssef Hassan, Abdul Aziz Hatem, Ahmed Alaa Eddin, Tamim Al Muhaysa, Ahmad Moin, Abdul Rahman Fahmi.

Al Enna Camp Project hosts Qatar Paralympics committee Family

DOHA, December 30, 2018 - Al Enna winter camp project ( Enna Al Adaam) in collaboration with the Qatar Tourism has hosted the Qatar Paralympics Committee's members and families at the camp's site in Sealine area on Friday.The invitation came in the frame of Al Enna project management quest to allocate special days for all members and families of sports federations and youth centers to enjoy several sport activities including beach handball, football, basketball and volleyball alongside other services.Al Enna is a tourism development project that aims to enhance the winter camping experience in Qatar, protect the environment, and ensure public safety. Al Enna project is spearheaded by National Tourism Council 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.

Qatar lose to Algeria in Football Friendly

Doha, December 28, 2018 - Qatar suffered a minor setback in their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Algeria at the Khalifa International Stadium here on Thursday.Drawn in Group E in the Continental showpiece, Qatar had enjoyed an undefeated streak since their win over Switzerland in November which was put to a halt by a Baghdad Bounedjah goal in the 57th minute.Felix Sanchez's side will have one more friendly match with Islamic Republic of Iran on New Year's Eve before heading to the UAE to open their campaign against Lebanon at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 9.They will play DPR Korea and Saudi Arabia on January 13 and 17 respectively.

Qatar, Belarus draw in Handball Friendly

DOHA, December 27, 2018 – Qatar national handball secured a remarkable 26-26 draw against Belarus counterparts in a friendly match took place at Duhail Sports Arena on Wednesday.The handball friendly game came in the frame of both sides preparation for the upcoming IHF 2019 World Men's Handball Championship scheduled from 10-27 January in Germany and Denmark.Both sides made impressive performance in this friendly, where Qatari players displayed high technical skills against the European giants.According to the training program, Qatar will lock horns against Belarus side in a second friendly will be played at the same venue on Friday.

Berdych, Wawrinka in Doha for Qatar ExxonMobil Open

DOHA, December 27, 2018- Czech's Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland arrived in Doha on Wednesday to participate in the Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open 2019 which begins at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex next Monday.The two star players are among the early arrivals for the ATP World Tour 250 series tournament which will be held until January 5, 2019.Berdych, a finalist at the 2015 edition, flew in from Prague while Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion and a runner-up at the 2008 tournament, came in from Geneva.The players were received at the airport by top officials of the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF).Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which has featured some of the biggest name in tennis down the years, is seen as the curtain raiser for the ATP tour.Tickets for the event are currently on sale online at www.qatartennis.org or onsite at the City Centre, Landmark and Villaggio malls.