Al Ahli defeat Qatar in Emir Volleyball Cup Semifinals

DOHA, May 4 , 2018 - Al Ahli recorded a deserving victory over Qatar in the semifinals of the prestigious HH the Emir Volleyball Cup Championship 2018 held at the Federation indoor on Thursday.Al Ahli side made impressive performance to beat opponents Qatar SC in the first leg of the prestigious HH the Emir Volleyball Cup ( 29-31, 22-25, 25-20 and 13-25).The second leg in the semifinals between Al Ahli and Qatar will be held on Saturday. In the second semifinals clash, Al Rayyan will take on Al Arabi on Friday at the same venue.

Qatar team shine in FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Mersin

MERSIN, Turkey, April 4, 2018 – Qatar team comprise of Ahmed Tejan and Sheriff Younis book place in the last 16 stage, after defeating Lithuanian counterparts in Mersin on Thursday.The prestigious event is bringing together 32 nations from across the world to compete in Mersin city, Turkey.

Olympic and World Champions ready for Diamond League Opener

DOHA, Qatar, May 4, 2018 - Doha's City Center Mall came alive this morning as lucky members of the public were offered the rare opportunity to interact with global athletics icons ahead of Friday's Diamond League opener. Seven Olympic and World Champions, including Qatar's national high jump treasure Mutaz Barshim, Germany's Diamond League javelin record-breaker Thomas Röhler, Greek pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi, who is the reigning World, Olympic, Diamond League and European Champion, triple jump Olympic, World and six-time Diamond League Champion Christian Taylor and Kenyan reigning World Champion and Olympic silver medallist over 5000m Hellen Obiri gathered to answer questions, pose for selfies and sign autographs, in a fun and lively session designed to bring the excitement of athletics to a wider audience.Passersby, members of the media and the public, were provided a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the global superstars who were invited up on stage for a wide-ranging group conversation. The discussion was anchored by two further athletics icons in the roles of MC, British World Champion Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and American reigning 1500m World silver medallist Jenny Simpson. The athletes and public were also welcomed by President of the Qatar Athletics Federation and Doha Diamond League meeting organizer, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, and Oceania Area President and IAAF Executive Board and Council Member, Geoff Gardner. General Secretary of the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) expressed his pride at bringing the athletes and Diamond League directly to the wider public. He said:“This is a pivotal time for athletics in Qatar as we prepare to host the World Championships in just 17 months from now. It is our ambition to use this unique opportunity to inspire and engage a new generation in a new region through the power of athletics. We are very grateful for the trust and support of the IAAF in helping us achieve our goals and ambitions."He continued: “One key way that we will achieve our vision in 2019, is by showcasing the contagious excitement of athletics to new audiences, just as we do every year through the Doha Diamond League. Each year the atmosphere gets better and better – and I am certain that this year is going to be the best yet!"Kicking off the conversation with the athletes, Jenny Simpson asked Qatari athletics star and local legend Mutaz Barshim on his success and its impact on the Qatar community. He responded: “A few years back the well-known athletes would be in running, like with Usain Bolt. Now, I'm honoured to be part of this drive to bring attention to field events and we love growing alongside the wider track and field community. This will in turn inspire the best, as young people now follow field athletes as they compete." For his part, triple jump Champion Christian Taylor spoke about how his loss in the 2015 Doha Diamond League drove his goals forward: “In 2015, I was the biggest loser of one of the greatest competitions of triple jump, I went 18.04. It was a very proud moment for because it was my first time over 18 metres and I was just so grateful and happy, but I lost. This only made me realize that your downfalls and defeats can be your strengths! From then I was very determined and a few Diamond Leagues later, I proved that I could become a better version of myself." The conversation shifted to Hellen Obiri who was asked if she was concerned with fellow panel member Simpson's move up to the longer 3000m distance. She responded: “I can't be worried, all I can do is focus on being my best and giving my best. That's exactly what I'll do tomorrow night on the track." Looking ahead, Mitchell-Blake asked Thomas Röhler for his thoughts on last year's incredible 93.3m throw and if he could go further tomorrow night: “I do believe I can throw further; the question is where and when. I've proved myself in the past in Doha, but the competition in javelin continues to rise each year and it only motivates me more to start the season well here in Doha. I welcome the competition, I'm happy for a moment where the field is challenging and I can show I'm the best." Geoff Gardner spoke on Qatar's vital role in the Diamond League series: “Doha has been the starting point of the IAAF Diamond League since it was established in 2010, evolving from the IAAF Golden League which had been running for over a decade before."He added: “One of the things I love most about outdoor meets, the Diamond League and particularly the meet here in Doha, is the unpredictability of 'athlete vs nature'. Some years, athletes need to adjust to the heat, others the sea breeze that whistles through Doha's skyscrapers which sparkle in splendor against the night sky, and some years – this may be one of them – athletes, especially those in the field events, who are out on the track for several rounds and attempts, have to adjust between the early evening warmth with stiff late-night winds." Following the culmination of the event, fans in City Center Mall were delighted to rub shoulders with their heroes, snapping selfies, taking autographs and savoring a moment that will live in the memories for a long time to come. The ninth Doha Diamond League kicks off Friday evening and promises to be one of the best-ever with almost 160 of the world's best athletics stars competing from 5-9pm at Qatar Sports Club.

Teams Shooting Championship to begin on Thursday

DOHA, May 3, 2018 – The competitions of Qatar's teams shooting championship 2018 in Skeet , Trap, Double Trap will get underway at Losail shooting complex on Thursday.The event comes in the light of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation (QSAF) training program to prepare Qatar teams for the upcoming regional and international sport events .In a pre-event press release on Thursday , Mr. Jaber Al Hagiri, Head of Organizing committee confirmed that the championship aims to help local shooters (men and women) gaining further experience and improve their skills.

IHF prepare to hold Beach Handball World Championships Draw Ceremony

DOHA, May 3, 2018 – The International Handball Federation (IHF) announced that the draw ceremony of the prestigious Beach Handball World Championships 2018 will take place on Tuesday, May 25.The prestigious championship will take place from 24-29 July in Kazan, Russia.The event will bring together 14 nations, including Qatar, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Oman, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, USA and Vietnam.

Doha Diamond League rehearsal for 2019 Worlds: Dr Thani Al-Kuwari

DOHA, May 3, 2018 – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) second vice president and Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) president Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al-Kuwari said that the 2018 Doha Diamond League is one of the most important meets of the league given that it is the first of the season and the oldest in the Middle East, with the highest champion participation.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said that the 9th edition, which will be held tomorrow at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, will be more special than the past editions as 20 global champions, Olympians and 150 athletes will be participating, led by Qatar's high jump world champion Mutaz Barshim, the 2017 IAAF Athlete of the Year.Dr Al-Kuwari added that the Doha meet this year will work as a mini rehearsal for the 2019 World Championships in athletics, which will be hosted for the first time in the Middle East. The 10th edition of Doha Diamond League next year, he said, will act as the final rehearsal for the championship and will be organised at Khalifa International Stadium, the venue of the World Championships. The Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium will be used for training purposes only.In 2019 Doha will host three tournaments before the World Championships in August, including the Gulf tournament in March, the Asian tournament in April, and the Doha Diamond league in May. Al-Kuwari said the federation, with cumulative experience in hosting athletics championships, will offer a world-class and fascinating world championship and will be a legacy for the fans of the sport around the world.Talking about tomorrow's event, he said this Doha Diamond League will see the largest Qatari participation with 10 track and field athletes, including Abdellelah Haroun running the 400m, 2017 winner Abderrahman Samba running the 400m hurdles, and Ahmed Bader in the javelin. For the first time, Qatari youth Mohanad Khamis will participate in 3,000m steeplechase and Jamal Hairane in 800m run, whereas the rest of the athletes will participate to gain experience and compete against world champions, he added. He hoped that Qatari athletes win more than one title, al-Kuwari said.Talking about Barshim, al-Kuwari said Barshim continues to progress and that the Qatari star athlete is following in the steps of Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, who retired last year. The Qatari champion will be the next major athlete after Bolt according to analysts as Barshim enjoys the same charisma, which fans adore, al-Kuwari said.He added that the organising committee of the 2019 World Championships is planning to invite Bolt to attend the event next year, along with the Doha Diamond League meet. It would strongly enhance the concept of sports tourism in Qatar, he said.Asked if QAF intends to change the date of the Doha Diamond League meet from the beginning of the season to the middle or to the end in order to witness season-finales, al-Kuwari said that May is better than August in terms of weather, and that kicking off the season in Doha motivates the crowd to attend.