Qatar ExxonMobil Open 500 kicks off in Doha

Doha: For the second consecutive week, attention turns to the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, where the Qatar Tennis Federation is hosting the 34th edition of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, an ATP 500 tournament featuring the world’s top-ranked players.Main draw matches get underway on Monday and will continue until February 21, with 32 players competing. The field is headlined by world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, Germany’s world No. 4 Alexander Zverev, Italy’s world No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti, Canada’s world No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, American world No. 7 Taylor Fritz, Australia’s world No. 8 Alex de Minaur, American world No. 9 Ben Shelton, and Kazakhstan’s world No. 10 Alexander Bublik.Also competing are world No. 11 Daniil Medvedev, champion in Doha in 2023, and world No. 15 Andrey Rublev, the defending champion who also lifted the title in 2020, along with several other top-ranked players. The only notable absentee is Serbian veteran Novak Djokovic, champion in Doha in 2016 and 2017, who will miss the tournament due to fatigue following his participation in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season.Top seed Alcaraz will open his campaign against France’s Arthur Rinderknech, ranked 28th in the world. Sinner will face Czech player Tomáš Macháč, ranked No. 31. Meanwhile, defending champion Rublev begins his title defense against the Netherlands’ Jesper de Jong, ranked 86th globally.Rublev claimed the 2025 Qatar ExxonMobil Open title—his second triumph in Doha—after defeating Britain’s Jack Draper in three sets, 7–5, 5–7, 6–1, in a final that lasted two hours and four minutes on centre court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.Earlier this month, the Qatar Tennis Federation also hosted the 24th edition of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open from February 8 to 14, which concluded with Czech player Karolína Muchová capturing her first Doha title after defeating Canada’s Victoria Mboko in straight sets in the final.

Sheikh Joaan visits OCA Headquarters for the first time and chairs Executive Board Meeting

Kuwait : H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani paid his first official visit on Sunday to the headquarters of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in Kuwait as President of the Council, where he chaired the 108th meeting of the OCA Executive Board.During the meeting, the minutes of the previous Executive Board meeting, held in Tashkent on 26 January, were approved.Members of the Executive Board also discussed upcoming Asian multi-sport events, including the 2028 Asian Beach Games in the Philippines and the 2030 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Mongolia. In addition, they received a briefing on the latest developments concerning the Afro-Asian Cultural Summit scheduled to take place on 28 March in Kuwait.Sheikh Joaan also met with OCA staff members and expressed his appreciation for their efforts, stating:“I am pleased to be here today at the headquarters. We have a strong team, and each one of you is an integral part of it. Your hard work is truly appreciated, especially over the past few years.”“We have a great deal of work ahead of us, and we look forward to achieving even more. We have three Asian Games events in 2026, and as the new President, I am confident that everyone here will contribute their expertise in working closely with all National Olympic Committees. We have a strong team, but we must continue to strengthen it further in order to overcome future challenges together.” He added.Bringing his remarks to a close, H.E. Sheikh Joaan said:“I would like to thank you once again for your efforts. The past years have brought many challenges, but we are here to ensure that matters move forward in an organized and stable manner to the greatest extent possible.”

Alsharbatly clinches Amir’s Sword with stunning Grand Prix win

Doha: Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly produced a thrilling round with his 13-year-old mare Diriyah to win the CSI5* 160cm Grand Prix at the HH The Amir’s Sword Showjumping Championship at Al Shaqab, topping a world-class field in a dramatic jump-off. The blue-riband class, carrying a total prize money of €1.5mn, brought together 44 combinations in a demanding two-round contest, with 13 advancing to the jump-off where victory was decided against the clock.Alsharbatly, last to go in the jump-off, secured the prestigious Amir’s Sword aboard Diriyah after a flawless round in 36.29 seconds. Fellow Saudi rider Khaled Almobty had set the bar high with a clear effort in 37.45 seconds on Diana du Plevau Z, but Alsharbatly’s blemish-free round denied him victory. Belgium’s Pieter Devos completed the podium with Casual DV Z in 39.20 seconds.Germany’s Christian Ahlmann finished fourth on Untouched LB in 39.24 seconds without penalties, while Anastasia Nielsen rounded out the top five aboard Esi Rocky with a clear round in 42.59 seconds. The Grand Prix showcased elite horses and riders, with nine other combinations producing clear rounds over the first two phases. Devos looked set for victory after another flawless effort on a horse he bred himself, but the final two Saudi riders delivered spectacular finishes. Almobty took every risk to surpass Devos’ time before Alsharbatly produced an electrifying round to finish more than a second faster and claim the €450,000 winner’s prize. Almobty earned €300,000, while Devos collected €225,000. Alsharbatly said he was delighted to finally secure the title after coming close in previous editions. “I really wanted to win this - I had been close a few times, so I am pleased to finally do it. Being quickest in the first round relaxed me a bit. In the jump-off I started quickly and that helped,” he said, adding that Qatar feels like a second home because of the warm welcome and strong support from the equestrian community. He also noted that careful planning will be key for the horses with several more weeks of competition remaining at Al Shaqab. Almobty reflected on another strong finish, saying: “I finished second last year too - hopefully I can be first next year.” In dressage action at the Indoor Arena, Qatari rider Jassim al-Kuwari claimed the HH The Amir’s Sword Dressage title aboard Jack Sparrow with a winning score of 74.242 points in the CDI1* Intermediate I Freestyle to Music. Qatari riders completed a podium sweep, with Wejdan Majed al-Malki finishing on Faisao with 73.125 points, while Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin placed third on Blue Horse Touch Of Olympic L with 66.200. Elsewhere, Saudi’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi delivered two flawless rounds aboard Lorenzo ES to secure victory in 44.44 seconds in a closely contested World Cup qualifier. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano pushed hard with a clear effort on Nikolaj de Music but settled for second just fractions behind in 44.63 seconds, while Devos completed the podium with another double-clear ride on Jarina J in 45.83 seconds. In the CSI3-W 140cm Immediate Jump-Off, home rider Sultan Salem al-Naemi produced a sharp round with Energika des Neyes to claim top honours in 36.41 seconds. France’s Megane Moissonnier followed closely on Chacarija PS after a clear effort in 36.93 seconds, with compatriot Lara Tryba taking third aboard Chageorge after another faultless performance in 37.79 seconds.Egypt’s Seif Eldin Essam Abbas executed a fast and accurate two-phase round with Heathcliff Blue to win in 25.91 seconds in the CSI3-W 135cm class. American Kristen Vanderveen finished second aboard Bull Run’s Lioness after a smooth clear effort in 27.75 seconds, while Ismail Osama El Borai of Egypt secured third with Incredible Z in 28.42 seconds. The CSI1 Faults and Time 125cm class was topped by Egypt’s Seif Yasser Fekry, who produced a composed clear round on Mambria in 57.13 seconds. His compatriot Omar Mohamed Ahmed followed in second aboard Kamelia DS with another faultless effort in 59.06 seconds, while Saudi’s Bader Alfard completed the top three on Murdock after a steady clear round in 59.25 seconds. Saudi’s Khalid al-Hadi delivered the quickest clear jump-off with Hurry UP in 35.25 seconds to take the win in the CSI1 Immediate Jump-Off 115cm. Abdulla Ahmed al-Khulaifi of Qatar finished a close second on Quenta van de Corsendonksehoeve in 35.42 seconds, while Saudi’s Halah Alrasheed secured third aboard Energy after a clear round in 37.58 seconds. In the CSIY-B Special Two-Phase 125cm, Bahrain’s Sultan Abdulaziz Mayoof Alromaihi produced a confident performance with Estoril Un Prince to claim victory in 30.10 seconds. Home rider Sultan Salem al-Naemi followed in second aboard Gannan de La Luce with a clear effort in 31.99 seconds, while Mohammed Yousef Al Jaber finished third on Christa 27 in 32.23 seconds.Bahrain’s Seeman Ebrahim Aljahrami secured the CSIJ-B Special Two-Phase 115cm win with a swift and accurate round on Enjoy de La Proz in 28.75 seconds. Home rider Mohammed Eisa al-Bukhari finished second aboard Lisa Perina F in 29.00 seconds, while Qatar’s Ahmad Ali al-Jaber completed the podium with Riane TB after a clear effort in 29.74 seconds. On the final day today, the programme features the three-star Grand Prix at 150cm qualifying for the World Cup, the one-star Grand Prix at 130cm, additional five-star and one-star competitions, junior and youth classes qualifying for the FEI Group VII Final, two three-star classes between 140cm and 145cm qualifying for the World Cup, and a local class at 100cm.

HH the Amir Attends Closing Ceremony of HH the Amir Sword Equestrian Festival

DOHA - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani graciously patronized the closing ceremony of HH the Amir Sword Equestrian Festival on the Al Rayyan turf track at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club on Saturday.Attending the closing ceremony were HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani.Also present were Their Excellencies Sheikhs and ministers, alongside horse owners and an audience of equestrian enthusiasts.HH the Amir crowned the winners of His Highness's sword and trophies and handed over the golden sword to HE Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim Al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim Al-Thani, and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, on behalf of Wathnan Racing, the winner of the fourth race designated for Purebred Arabian horses (Group 1, First Category).HH the Amir handed over the silver sword to Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya, on behalf of Al Wasmiyah Farm, for the Purebred Arabian race (4-year-olds only). He also presented the silver shalfa to Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, the first-place winner of the opening race for Thoroughbreds.In addition, His Highness presented his sword and trophies to the winners of the top positions in showjumping: Abdullah Alsharbatly from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1st), Khaled Almobty from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2nd), and Pieter Devos from the Kingdom of Belgium (3rd).HH the Amir handed over his Trophy for Thoroughbred horses to the owner of the horse Deep Monster, from DMM Dream Club Co., Ltd., the winner of the third round.His Highness also crowned the first-place winners in dressage: rider Jassim Al Kuwari, rider Wejdan Al Malki, and rider Maryam Ahmad Al Boinin.HH the Amir handed over the trophies to the top four winners of the Al Sabiq Heritage Championship: rider Abdullah Salem Al Mansouri, rider Majed Nasser Al Naimi, rider Mohammed Kamaan Saeed Al Khayarin Al Hajri, and rider Faleh Faraj Al Otaibi.HH the Amir also attended a side event of the closing races of the Purebred Arabian‑Cross Horses Competition, the Final Al Sabiq Heritage Championship on the Sand Track, and the Main Race for His Highness' Golden Sword for Purebred Arabian Horses.

Karolína Muchová crowned Qatar TotalEnergies Open Champion

Doha: Karolína Muchová captured the title at the 24th edition of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament organized by the Qatar Tennis Federation, which concluded on Saturday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.The 29-year-old Czech, ranked world No. 19, delivered a composed performance in the final to defeat Canada’s Victoria Mboko, the 19-year-old world No. 13 and tournament’s 10th seed, in straight sets, 6–4, 7–5.Following the match, H.E. Nasser bin Ghanem Al Khelaifi, President of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation, alongside Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi, and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, presented Muchová with the Golden Falcon trophy, while Mboko received the runner-up award.The victory marks Muchová’s first title in Doha, achieved in her fourth appearance at the tournament, and the second singles title of her career. Her previous triumph came at the South Korean Open in 2019. She also finished runner-up at French Open (Roland Garros) in 2023.With this achievement, Muchová adds another milestone to her career, capping off a strong week of performances in the Qatari capital.

Draw held for AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™

Kuala Lumpur: The teams vying for the title learnt their Group Stage challengers following the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Official Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.The 16 teams were divided into four groups with the tournament to be contested between between May 5 and 22, 2026.Hosts Saudi Arabia, who lifted the trophy in 1985 and 1988, will face Tajikistan, Thailand and Myanmar in Group A.Group B will see former champions Japan being challenged by Indonesia, two-time winners China PR and 1990 titleholders Qatar for the two quarter-final slots.Korea Republic, also two-time winners, will have to contend with Yemen, Vietnam and United Arab Emirates in Group C while Group D will see a tussle between defending champions Uzbekistan, Australia, India and two-time winners DPR Korea for the right to advance to the knockout stage.The top eight finishers will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.