QOA Sport Psychology Course Concludes

DOHA, March 1, 2018 - The Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) has successfully concluded its productive training course titled “ Sport Psychology" organized in collaboration with the mental Health Society upon approval from Asian-South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology (ASPASP) at the QOA Headquarters on Monday.Elite number of lecturers in the psychology field provided the trainees with vital topics and lessons on mental health and sport psychology to help athletes and coaches performing their activities and training sessions properly.A wide range of significant topics related to the sport activity were exhaustively discussed during the course sessions, including, the importance of sports Psychology, types of human behaviors, reasons behind poor exercise of sport activities, physical and psychological preparation in the sports field.The training course mainly aimed to improve the abilities and skills of the sport officials and cadres in an ambitious approach to develop the country's sport movement to a new level of excellence and creativity.

QOC winter camp to host Beach Volleyball Workers Tournament

DOHA, March 1, 2018- The winter camp of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) will host the Beach Volleyball Workers Tournament on Friday. The winter camp contains a multitude of activities including beach volleyball, football and basketball areas, a laser field, a kids' zone with inflatable slides, swings and games as well as pony rides.There is also an arcade dome with table tennis, billiards, video games and a food and beverage area for guests to re-energise and relax.

Austria, Hungary claim titles of ISF World Schools Handball Championship

DOHA, March 1, 2018-Austria and Hungary teams clinched the boys and girls title respectively at the ISF World Schools Handball Championship yesterday. At the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Germany was left heart-broken after both its boys and girls team lost in the final.In the boys' title clash, Austria edged out Germany 21-18 after a thrilling match. Both the teams were locked 18-18 after regular time, before Austrian players kept their nerves to win the game and championship in extra time. At final whistle, Austrian players jumped with joy as German team rued their missed opportunities. It was the second setback of the day for Germany, after the girls team also went down to Hungary.Hungarian girls were deserved winners, though, after a comprehensive 30-17 win, which left Germany stunned. The final was expected to be a close one, with Germany having impressed the most throughout the group stages. But Hungary raised their game when it mattered to walk away with the title.The third place in the girls went to Denmark, who beat Brazil in the play-off. Israel boys, meanwhile beat Poland, to take the boys' third spot. Meanwhile, Qatar boys' team finished a creditable 10th in the championship.Rabea al-Kaabi, President of the School Sports Federation and Chairman of the Organising Committee, gave away the prizes. Organised by the Qatar School Sports Association under the patronage of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), the 24th edition of the championship was held at three venues – Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Aspire Dome and Women's Sports Hall in Aspire.The tournament was for 16-18-year-olds and it was the first time in 24 editions, the championship took place outside of Europe. The competition was fierce with 19 girls and 18 boys' teams from 21 countries from across Africa, Asia, Americas and Europe competing for glory.Al-Kaabi was pleased with the tournament's success. “We are happy with what we have seen in the tournament and with the great participation of teams from different countries," al-Kaabi said.“I would like to thank everyone for their efforts during the tournament, especially the committees that worked to make it a success. We are proud of what we have achieved through this competition. I would like to thank the handball federation for their great cooperation and we hope are successful in hosting any upcoming events," he added.Meanwhile, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim Rashid al-Buenain met on Tuesday with President of the International School Sport Federation (ISF) Laurent Petrynka, who is currently visiting the country.The meeting reviewed aspects of sport co-operation and ways to enhance and develop them in the upcoming stage. The QOC secretary-general commended the efforts of the ISF President to promote the school sports globally.For his part, the ISF President lauded the success of the 2018 ISF World School Handball Championship. The meeting was also attended by Director of the QOC Sport Affairs Department Khaleel al-Jabir.

Germany boys and girls reach World Schools Handball final

​DOHA, February 28, 2018 - German boys and girls team stormed into the finals of the ISF World Schools Handball Championship at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena yesterday.In the boys' semi-final, Germany beat Poland 35-30 in a high-scoring encounter. In the title clash today, they will face Austria, who defeated Israel 31-18 in the second semis. Later, the German girls made it double delight as they got past Brazil 33-26 to set-up final against Hungary, who beat Denmark 27-21. Zuzana Porvaznikova, coach of the German girls' team was delighted. “I'm absolutely proud of this team, as they have fought hard. We are hungry to win tomorrow. We will give everything and fight till final whistle," she said. The finals will livestream on the Facebook page of the IHF and also on the Olympic Channel. Meanwhile, Qatar boys' scored a thrilling 24-23 win over Serbia and will play for 9th-10 placing match against Czech Republic today. It was Qatar's third successive win after they had finished third in Group A and failed to qualify for the quarter-finals. Qatar had lost two and won as many matches at the preliminary stage. Organised by the Qatar School Sports Association under the patronage of The International School Sport Federation, the 24th edition of the championship is held at three venues –Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Hall at Al Sadd Club, Aspire Dome and Women's Sports Hall in Aspire. The tournament for 16-18 year olds (born in 2000, 2001 and 2002) will conclude today with closing ceremony scheduled after finals match. For the first time in 24 editions, the championship is taking place outside of Europe and the competition has been fierce with 19 girls and 18 boys; teams from 21 countries across Africa, Asia, Pan America and Europe competing for glory. HE Rabea al-Kaabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the World Handball Championship, was pleased with tournament's success. “We are happy with what we have seen in the tournament and with the great participation of teams from different countries," al-Kaabi said.“I would like to thank everyone for their efforts during the tournament, especially the committees that worked to make it a success. We are proud of what we have achieved through this competition. I would like to thank the handball federation for their great cooperation and we hope are successful in hosting any upcoming events," he added.

World Snooker Team Cup 2018 begins

DOHA, February 28, 2018- It was day of mixed fortunes for teams competing at the inaugural edition of World Snooker Team Cup 2018 here yesterday.On the first day of the event, one of the strong title contender, Wales-1 comprises of Andrew Pagett and Alex Taubman crashed out of the championship after losing both group D matches while defending champion Pakistan suffered at the hands of Russia but recovered in quick time to win their second match.Elsewhere, Team India-1 registered a 3-0 win over Iceland 3-0 to begin their campaign in style.The Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation (QBSF) is hosting the event which ends on March 2.The competition is approved by the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) under the chairmanship of Mubarak al Khayareen.The total number of participating teams will be 24, including two teams from Qatar. Other countries which have confirmed participation include Pakistan, Wales, Ireland, Iran, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, and Egypt among others. In addition to Qatar, Pakistan and Wales will participate with two teams each. Ireland and Thailand will also participate with two teams each.The total prize money for the competition is $60,000 with the winner getting $15,000. Runners-up and semi-finalists will get $15000 and $7500 respectively. The teams which make it to the last 24 will be awarded $1000.The 24 teams will be divided into eight groups of three each. No two teams from the same country are allowed to be in one group. Top two from each group will qualify for the Round of 16 knock-out stage.Earlier, Wales-1 got off to an excellent start with Andrew Pagett winning the first frame 94-14 against Sean Corkish but the crucial fourth frame he required to win, missed on last pink despite being terribly down where he required three snookers.On the other side, full credit goes to Darryl Hill of Isle of Man, who not only curtailed Alex Taubman in second frame but also shown excellent potting skills in fourth frame to send strong opposition to Pagett.In another match, team Pakistan-1 (Muhammad Asif, Babar Masih) who had lost the first match, secured 3-0 win in the next match against Iraq to stay in the competition.Earlier, Ivan Kakovskii & Mikhail Terekhov delighted the Russian spectators by overcoming reigning World Team champions Muhammad Asif & Babar Masih of Pakistan 3-1 in their opening group A tie.Babar missed on a crucial point in first frame leaving last colour balls, which Ivan cleared to take first frame lead. In second frame, Mikhail fought hard against former world champion, Asif but couldn't save it and again match rested at 1-1.Pakistan team, however, put in all efforts to secure the doubles frame but lost by a narrow margin (54-59). In fourth frame, Ivan played, once again a commanding game to defeat Asif 65-25 and registered first win for team Russia 3-1.In the group of three, now it's must-win situation for the Pakistan-1 team to stay in the competition.Fourth match of session 1 was between Hong Kong-1 and Egypt where Lee Chun Wai of Hong Kong started with a well crafted 80 points break. Though his partner Fung Kwok Wai lost the next frame but after that they both coördinated well to pull back doubles frame. In fourth frame, Lee Chun Wai, once again shown his class to defeat Hesham Shawky 47-29 to register first win for Hong Kong.For Team India-1 (Shahbaaz Khan / Malkeet Singh) they could not have asked for a better start.In the first frame, Malkeet Singh took on Gunnar Hreidarsson and succeeded to win that having decent victory margin (73-12). His partner, Shabaaz Adil Khan, in second frame, crafted the first century break (109) of the competition to raise the lead to 2-nil.Being in comfort zone, both of them complimented each other in doubles frame too to score 56-17 and won the match 3-0.Meanwhile, team Iran of Amir Sarkhosh and Ehsan Heydari Nezhad surprised Welshmen Andrew Pagett / Alex Taubman by defeating 3-1.Despite trailing, Andrew made a good comeback in the first frame but before he could seal the frame, the brown ball railed over the cushion after hitting the jaw of green pocket.That chance Amir capitalized with his clearance of 22 points to take initial lead.The second frame was easy for his partner Ehsan Heydari Nezhad, which he wrapped up by scoring 67-11.Though the Welshmen managed to secure the doubles frame (87-07) but Ehsan countered Andrew very well in the fourth frame to register 3-1 victory.

HH Emir Bowling Cup Championship kicks off

DOHA, February 28, 2018 – The competitions of the prestigious HH Emir Bowling Cup Championship 2018 got underway on Tuesday at the Qatar Bowling Centre amid significant number of competitors.The one week long championship is bringing together elite bowlers from Kuwait, Iraq, Singapore, Hong Kong , South African beside hosts Qatar.The organizing committee has allocated a total prize money reaches $ 61,400, where the first place winner gets $ 10,000, the runner-up takes $ 6,000 and the third and fourth places winners will collect $ 3.300.