NBA stars visit Aspire Academy

DOHA, September 4, 2018-Former basketball player and seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady, Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson and LA Lakers head coach Luke Walton visited Aspire Academy on Monday “The combination sports and education here at Aspire is something special. They are not only making great athletes, but the educational component will also shape them to become great leaders and smart guys and so they will have something to fall back to just in case", says former shooting guard McGrady, who played for great teams such as Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons and who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017.

Rapid progress on roof installation brings Al Bayt Stadium’s design to life

DOHA, September 4, 2018-The construction of Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City – a proposed semi-venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ – has taken another step forward as work began on installing the venue's retractable roof.Once fully assembled, the roof will weigh around 1,600 tons – the equivalent of almost 380 medium sized motor cars. It will be possible to close the roof at the touch of a button, in a three-phase movement that takes approximately 20 minutes.Each roof truss measures 94.4 metres and weighs between 82 and 104 tons. Each truss was fabricated into eight pieces at the workshop, transported to site, and welded together at a dedicated area outside the stadium before being lifted into place. The lifting of the roof trusses is done only when there's little or no wind, takes approximately three hours, and can be done every two to three days. Aspire Zone Foundation's Project Director for Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City, Dr. Nasser Al Hajeri, outlined the benefits of installing the roof.“This structure will allow more flexibility in lighting and climate conditions within the stadium, making it fit for purpose all year round," said Dr. Al Hajeri.“Installing the roof structure is a significant milestone as it completes the major lifting required on-site and means the big cranes can soon be removed."Engineer Majid Al Bader, Aspire Zone Foundation's Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City Project Manager, added: “We're very pleased with the progress to-date and look forward to unveiling this unique stadium to the world."Designed in the style of a traditional Bedouin tent, Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City will have a capacity of 60,000 during the World Cup. Post-tournament, the capacity will be reduced to approximately 30,000, with parts of the stadium donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure.The upper concourse of the stadium will be converted into a hotel, while a shopping centre and branch of Aspetar, the leading sports medicine facility, will also be incorporated into the structure, alongside entertainment and shopping centres, multipurpose halls and other venues. Parks and greenery will also form an integral part of the surrounding precinct.

Qatar goalball team line up for Asian Para Games

DOHA, September 3, 2018- Qatar goalball team will participate in the 2018 Asian Para Games to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia next October. The Qatari squad will include Hassan Al Kohaji, Abbad Al Shamali, Mohammad Hamam, Mohammad Al Kahalout and Abdulhadi Al Marri. On the other hand, Qatar's Para Athletics players began their preparations for the Asian Para Games. Qatar's Abdulrahman Abdulqader extended his thanks to HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee for his support to the Qatari athletes.

Felix Sanchez names squad for two friendlies

DOHA, September 3, 2018- Qatar coach Felix Sanchez on Sunday named the squad for the two friendlies against China and Palestine to be played this month.The two international friendlies will be played on September 7 (against China) and 11 (against Palestine).The two matches will be held at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.Sanchez will get to work on his players as Qatar prepares for 2019 Asian Cup to be held in the UAE in January next year.Sanchez named 25 players for the camp ahead of the two friendlies.In the 2019 Asian Cup, Qatar will be playing against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and North Korea in Group E.Qatar coach Sanchez in the coming months wants to play several friendly matches with various teams to ensure the best preparation for his side for the 2019 Asian Cup, Asia's top competition for national teams.Squad: Meshal Barshm (goalkeeper), Pedro Miguel, Salem Al Hajri, Tarek Salman, Abdul Karim Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, Hashim Ali, Hassan Al Heidos and Akram Afif (Al Sadd). Bassam Hisham Al-Rawi, Sultan Al-Barik, Asim Madbo, Abdullah Abdul Salam Al-Ahraq, Abdulrahman Fahmi, Al-Moaz Ali (Al-Duhail), Yousuf Hassan (goalkeeper), Mahdi Ali, Abdul Aziz Hatem and Ahmad Alaa, Hamad Al Obeidi and Abdul Karim Salim Al Ali (Al Sailiya) Mohammed Alaa (Al Rayyan) Ahmed Fathi (Arab) Ahmed Moeen (Qatar) Mohammed Bakri (goalkeeper) (Al Khor).

SC invites volunteers to help prepare for 2022 FIFA World Cup

DOHA, September 3, 2018- The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has opened registration for volunteers for FIFA 2022 World Cup to be held in Doha.This came at a ceremony organized by The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and attended by Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery ,Legacy HE Hassan Al Thawadi, and a large number of local and foreign media.Registration is open to volunteers aged 16 and above from Qatar, the region and the world. Where they will have an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the preparations to host Qatar's first FIFA World Cup in the region.Volunteers will have valuable opportunities to develop their skills and enrich their knowledge in such areas as organizing and managing events, hospitality, marketing and communication, managing audiences, Social connectedness, security, medical services, accommodation, transportation and more from the time they volunteered until the tournament began.The Committee welcomed the first batch of 22 volunteers from different countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Oman, Palestine, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen. The number of volunteers during the first four hours of registration has reached more than 12,000 volunteers.Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery , Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi said it is obvious to everyone the long journey made by the Committee since the preparation of the country file to receive the World Cup and win the honor of hosting in 2010, and until this moment, stressing that the committee is working to fulfill all the promises made to open up horizons for the youth energies and to provide different opportunities for Arab and international expertise and competencies to participate in this global event and contribute to the legacy of the world.When announcing the call-out for participants, the SCs Secretary General, Hassan Al Thawadi, said volunteers would play a pivotal role in helping Qatar deliver a unique tournament."This tournament will provide a platform to showcase the true nature of the Arab world and volunteers will be essential partners in ensuring that all our preparations for 2022 help achieve this."Al Thawadi added.SCs Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs Nasser Al Khater, said: "Were working flat-out to prepare for the greatest sporting spectacle on earth and now were opening up the opportunity for people from around the world to contribute to our preparations."We have an incredibly busy schedule between now and kick-off, and this presents numerous opportunities to gain new skills, meet new people and discover everything Qatars World Cup has to offer. We look forward to welcoming and working with all our volunteers, no matter their age, ability or where they are from".SC's Community Engagement Manager Mead Al Emadi, gave a presentation during the event that offered details on how to sign-up as a volunteer.Al Emadi said: "Qatar 2022 will not only be a landmark moment in the history of the Arab world, but also in the history of the FIFA World Cup. It presents a number of innovations, firsts and unique hosting concepts that will deliver one of the most memorable editions of the tournament ever. The opportunity to participate in such a tournament is unprecedented and I encourage all interested football fans and volunteers from around the world to join us on the road to 2022."The event also hosted a panel session involving SC Ambassador Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari; Faisal Al Shanfari from Oman and member of the Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities; and Mohamed Essoussi, from Tunisia, who was a volunteer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.Saadon called on people from across the region to unite in support of Qatar's tournament."From day one, Qatar's leadership has said this is a tournament for the entire region," said Saadon. "We need to show that sport is for all and that the door is open for everyone. We have colleagues from all around the region involved as volunteers and I believe this demonstrates how football is for everyone."Al Shanfari added: "Volunteering has many positive impacts and offers the chance to learn important skills. I have seen people change their outlook through volunteering. This is the first time the World Cup will be held in our region, so it's a valuable opportunity for millions of people."Essoussi, who spent time volunteering with FIFA's anti-doping unit during Russia 2018, said: "There are many advantages to volunteering. It gives you the chance to meet people from all over the world. You also have the opportunity to represent your country and region.

Qatar junior tennis team win three gold medals in Arab Tennis Championship

Tunis, September 02, 2018-Qatar junior tennis team won the gold medal at the 13th Arab Tennis Championship held in the Tunisian city of Hammamet, with the participation of six Arab countries.Qatar claimed the title of the team event after a 2-1 victory over Egypt in in the final match.Qatar under-13 Tennis Team including Rashid Nawaf and Mashari Nawaf knocked out Saudi counterparts at the start of the Championship and defeated Tunisia's hosts on their way to the final.Kuwait, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Qatar participated in the 13th Arab Tennis Championship.