Doha set to host 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Cup

DOHA, March 15, 2018-The Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) has completed its arrangements for the 2018 FIG Artistic World Cup to begin in Doha on Wednesday.The event is expected to offer a fierce competition as it has attracted top-notch gymnasts from 40 countries.The Doha leg, to be held on March 21 to 24, is being used by the (QGF) as a dress rehearsal for the October World Championships here.Mohammad Al Jaber, Deputy Chairman of Organising Committee said on Wednesday that Doha is ready to host the world event.

Champions ready for Marathon Swim World Series

DOHA, March 15, 2018 - Local and international sponsors have united in support of Doha's first ever FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series event to be hosted in the stunning setting of Doha's Corniche on Saturday.The world-class competition will see Olympic and world champions swim head to head over 10km providing a memorable and unique experience for all the public to enjoy, free of charge.Over 100 of the world's best swimmers will compete in the event which is the first of a nine-meeting series taking place in some of the world's most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada and China. Local companies Al Kass, Ooredoo, QNB and Zoom Arts have been announced as national sponsors, with Gulf Crafts and Al Jouf as national suppliers. Meanwhile FINA have appointed Chinese Sportswear brand HOSA as the title sponsor of the event series, and Microplus as the timing and scoring services provider. Speaking ahead of the event, FINA President Julio Maglione said:"The very high-profile start list, including Olympic and world champions, confirms the popularity and success of the prestigious event. Doha has been for the past years a very solid FINA partner in the organisation of several events and we look forward to seeing the result of all this hard-work and commitment, which will represent another milestone for the development of this Olympic discipline in this region." Khalil al Jabir, President of the Qatar Swimming Association, said:"We are very excited to host such a prestigious and exciting FINA event in the heart of Doha. The weekend timing, stunning setting and central location enable us to bring a new swimming discipline directly to the people of Doha. We encourage everyone to come down, cheer on the world's best swimmers and enjoy this truly unique experience with their family and friends." He continued:"The Qatar Swimming Association is committed to continuing to grow and develop the sport in Qatar and around the region and we hope that this event will raise the profile of marathon swimming and inspire more people to take up the sport, and lead healthy and active lifestyles." Seventy-two male and 44 female athletes from 24 countries will compete in the Olympic distance event in the open water beside Doha's Corniche. Starting from the Orry statue, the women's event will begin at 8:30am and the men's at 1:30pm. Top female swimmers participating include Rio 2016 Olympic champion, Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands, 2017 World Series winner, Arianna Bridi and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Rachele Bruni, both of Italy, and 2017 world silver medallist Samantha Michelle Arevalo Salinas of Ecuador. Top male swimmers to look out for include Rio 2016 Olympic and Budapest 2017 world champion Ferry Weertman who will face a strong challenge from Rio 2016 and Budapest 2017 bronze medallist Marc-Antoine Olivier of France and Great Britain's Jack Burnell, who finished just outside the medals in fourth place at last summer's world championships. There will be local interest in up and coming young Qatari swimmer, Abdulrahman Hisham, who looks to gain useful experience in a high-level global competition amongst the world's best. Many of the elite swimmers will be on hand to meet and provide tips and guidance to members of the public who are participating in the Open Water Challenge event. Taking place on Friday at 1:30pm, the event is being organised to give amateur swimmers the opportunity to enjoy the same facilities and full services as the elite athletes, enabling everyone to be a world-class athlete for the day. With weather and water temperatures expected to be ideal and the course taking place in front of Doha's beautiful backdrop, competitors will have the opportunity to sample the very best of open-water swimming.

Secretary General attends SOP event for Students with special needs

DOHA, March 15, 2018 – The Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General , HE Jassim Rashid Al Boenain attended a part of Schools Olympic Program events organized for students with special needs (girls) at The Qatar sport club headquarters on Wednesday.The prestigious event brought together students from government and private schools across the country to compete in multiple sport events at the indoor and outdoor playgrounds.The event also saw the attendance of senior sport officials including Khaleel Ibrahim Al-Jaber, the Director of sport affairs department at QOC and Abdulrahman Al Moftah, the executive director of Qatar School Sports FederationIt is worth mentioning that 214 boys schools (including 119 government schools and 98 private schools) along with 186 girls schools (105 government schools and 81 private schools) are participating in this SOP edition.The SOP is held annually as a collaborative effort of Qatar School Sports Federation (QSSF) and Ministry of Education and Higher Education, with hundreds of student athletes competing from all over Qatar.The SOP committee aims to spread a culture of sports throughout Qatar's schools and to engage the entire community in active and healthy lifestyle while retaining local values and traditions.

HH the Emir Shooting Cup to begin on Thursday

DOHA, March 15, 2018 – The competitions of HH the Emir Shooting Cup 2018 will begin at Lusail International Shooting Complex on Thursday. The training sessions of Skeet, Double Trap, 50m Pistol, and 50m Rifle events will begin on Thursday. Hussain Al Sada, Chairman of Organizing Committee said that HH the Emir Shooting Cup is one of the biggest tournaments being organizing by the federation as it provides the young shooters with the opportunity to kickstart their careers.

Qatar boxing team shine in 2018 Feliks Stamm Tournament

​DOHA, March 15, 2018- The Qatari boxing team began their campaign at the 2018 Feliks Stamm Tournament on high note. Qatar's Amir Elsaey qualified to the semifinals of Super Heavy (+91 kg) event after beating Damian Wisniewski of Poland in the quarterfinals. On the other hand, Qatar's Yahya Saleh suffered a 2-3 defeat against Michael Angeletti of USA in the quarterfinals of 52 kg event. Moreover, Abdelteef Sadiq will take on Junel Contancio of Philippines in the quarterfinals of 60kg event. The Qatar squad includes Yahya Saleh Al Rafiq, Abdullah Balali, Abdulateef Mohamad Sadiq and Amir Elsaey. The Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation President Yousef Al Kazem said that the federation is keen to provide Qatari players with all possible support to make good results in local and international championships.

Qatar’s Al-Arabi win Arab Handball Super Cup

Tunisia, March 14, 2018-Qatar's Al Arabi won the 2018 Arab Handball Super Cup after beating Sakiet Ezzit 30-24 in the match held in Sfax, Tunisia on Tuesday.This first international achievement for Al Arabi in handball competitions.Al Arabi played Arab Super Cup match after taking the second place in the 33rd Arab Handball Champions League held on Morocco in September 2017.