Al Rayyan win Qatar Cup Volleyball Championship Title

DOHA, April 21, 2018 - Al Rayyan Club extended their unbeaten run in the season as they beat back Police's spirited resistance and regain the Qatar Cup Volleyball Championship with a fine 25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 28-26 victory at the QVA Hall on Friday. Qatar Olympic Committee's Second Vice-President Dr Thani Abdulrahman al Kuwari was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He gave away the trophies and awards in presence of QVA President Ali Ghani al Kuwari and other officials. Al Rayyan, who figured in the fourth successive final and won the first title in 2015-16, took home QR300,000, while Police earned QR200,000 for finishing second. The Lions have pocketed three major events till now - the Super Cup, the Arab Clubs Championship, the QVA League and looked determined in the four-team final, going 2-0 up. However, Police rallied through Mads Ditlevsen (20 pts), Neto (18) and Nadir Abubakr (8) to snatch the third set. Then they suddenly collapsed to an onslaught from Al Rayyan initiated by Bairama Faye (12 pts) and trailed 6-13 from 6-6 in the fourth set. When fans thought the match has been virtually been killed by Al Rayyan after gaining five match points 24-19, Police added more twists and thrills. They launched their streak and pulled level, besides getting their own set points twice. Al Rayyan Club did not allow this to happen. Serbian Ivan Borovnjak (15 pts), who replaced Cuban pro Yordan Bisset Astengo, set up the sixth match point for them and Rahimi Wadidi (12) smashed through the block. Police, despite trying their best, could not retrieve the ball, sending Al Rayyan players and fans into wild celebrations.This was the fourth time in the season that Al Rayyan have beaten Police. The previous three occasions were once in the Super Cup and twice in the League. Al Rayyan coach Carlos Schwanke was delighted with another title for his team and their unbeaten run."Right before the season, we trained hard and got ready to face any tough moments in matches. That is working now well for us. We were in some difficulty in the fourth set but my players managed to avert it and won one more crown. "No doubt this has been one of the most memorable seasons for us. But our work has not finished yet. We still have the Emir Cup and then the Asia Cup. We will try to do our best in these events as well," Schwanke added. Al Rayyan Club's player cum team manager Ali Ishaq said,"I want to congratulate all my players and the members of the support staff. Their dedication and diligence are helping us win title after title. Police are a good side and the match was quite exciting too. We have been unbeaten and we'll try to play like this as we have two more big event to play the Emir Cup and the Asia Clubs Championship in Chinese Taipei in August." Police coach Damian Arredondo was satisfied with his team's development work."We came quite close to stretching Al Rayyan Club, who are really a high-class side. We fell short a bit. I'm happy with the way we bounced back into the match. We still have the Emir Cup and we'll try to do better in that." Teams: Al Rayyan Club: Ivan Borovnjak, Marcus, Milos Stevanovic, Belal Abu Nabout, Ali Ishaq, Rahimi Wadidi, Bairama Faye, Andre Luiz, Milos Nikic, Suliman Saeed (L), Oueritani and Ahmed. Head coach: Carlos Schwanke; Assistant coach: Toufik Benmessedak. Police: Bobi, Mads Ditlevsen, Moses, Vantislav, John Chigbo, Neto, Nadir Abubakr, Elakar, Nagi (L), Ziad. Head coach: Damian Arredondo; Assistant coach: Pablo Gianelli.

QOC President awards winners at Emir's Sword Camel Racing Festival

DOHA, April 21, 2018 - HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), on Friday awarded the winners of the four main races of the seventh day of Arabian Camels Race Competition for the Sword of the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, which was held at the Al Shahaniya racetrack.Al Shaqab camels won two of the four main races. Mayhola won the first race to earn the golden blade. It finished the race in 5:42,9 minutes, 2,5 seconds faster than its nearest competitor. Afrin won the second race, and its prize of the golden dagger, after finishing the race in 5:44.9 minutes. This was just 0.7 seconds faster than Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulah bin Hamad bin Jassim al Thani's camel which finished second. The Third race was won by Al Afrita which belongs to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Hamad al Thani. Al Afrita finished its race in 5:53 minutes. That was 0,2 seconds faster than Azmir of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad bin Khal al Thani. The final race was won by 'Bahr'of Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al Thani, which won the golden dagger after finishing the race in 5:58.7 minutes. Earlier on Thursday, Shahaniya camel dominated and recorded two victories in the races, while 'Ashwaq' owned by Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim al Thani clinched the third race. On the same track of victory, Shaqab camel"Gabal" seized the fourth race.In a press release on Thursday, HE Sheikh Joaan confirmed that annual Arabian Camel Festival bears a beloved name to hearts therefore participation in such event is a greater proud for all.

Qatar to participate in Junior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships

DOHA, April 21, 2018 – Qatar gymnastics team delegation will leave Doha on Sunday to Indonesia to participate in the 15th Junior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships will take place from 25-28 April, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia.The Qatar gymnastics team delegation comprises of Ali Al Hitmi, the President of Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) accompanied by technical and managerial staff and four gymnasts.In a press release on Saturday, the QGF President outlined that the Qatar team will get several technical gains and greater experience from this significant event.

Al Arabi win Emir Cup Basketball Title

DOHA, April 22, 2018 - Lightning has struck twice for Al Wakrah as Al Arabi clinched the prestigious Emir Cup basketball title on Saturday. Arabi, who defeated Wakrah to win Qatar Basketball League in February, once again overcame a stiff challenge from Wakrah to register an overtime victory (96-88) in the final at the Al Gharafa Sports Club.This is Al Arabi's eighth title and it came after a long wait of 24 years. The credit for Arabi's victory goes to Nicholas Stover, who almost single-handedly swept his side to the final of the tournament by scoring an average of 30-plus scores. Stover, who had scored 42 points in the semi-final against Al Khor, was once again the top-scorer for his side with 29 points.“I am very pleased and honoured to have helped Al Arabi win the title tonight. This is our second title this year after the league crown," Stover, who was leading scorer for his side in the league, said. Stover also had five assists and six rebounds. William Earl Byrd and Khalid Suliman Abdil also contributed 25 points each for the winners.Arabi took a four-point lead (20-16) in first quarter, but Wakrah came back strongly in the second to curtail the lead to only one point. However, Arabi regained a three-point lead at the end of the third quarter, before the fourth finished at 75-all.In the overtime, Arabi players were better in speed as they scored 21 points, while Wakrah netted only 13 points. “The victory is very sweet for us as it has come after a long gap. The title win is the result of my boys' consistent show this season. We are happy to win two titles this season," Arabi coach Hatem Mamlouk said.Demarius Armond Bolds' match-high 38 points went in vain as Al Wakrah, who had failed to qualify for the Emir Cup finals for 16 years, once again failed to cross the last hurdle. Other notable contributions for Wakrah came from Earnest Lee Ross Jr (22 points) and Adamu Saaka (14 points).

HH the Emir attends parts of the Camel Race Festival for the Sword of HH the Emir

DOHA, April 22, 2018 - HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended Saturday parts of the races dedicated to tribes members, in day eight of the annual festival for the sword of HH the Emir that were held at Al Shahaniya racetrack.Saturday's competition was attended by a number of their excellencies sheikhs, tribes members, and fans who love watching camel racing.

Teams ready for Emir Table Tennis Cup Quarterfinals

DOHA, April 22, 2018 – Eight teams are in fray for the last eight stage of the prestigious HH Emir Table Tennis Cup Championship 2018 will be held at training center hall at Ras Abood in Doha on Sunday.In the first match , Al-Sadd will shake hands with Al-Khor and Al Ahli will lock horns against Al Arabi.In the third match, Al-Rayyan will take on Al Gharafa and Al Wakrah will face Qatar SC in the fourth match.