Double podium finish for Mubarak Al-Rumaihi

DOHA, February 23, 2018 - Mubarak Yousuf Al-Rumaihi continued his fine form on Thursday as the Qatari rider finished first and second in the feature class of the Big Tour on the opening day of the HH The Emir's Sword equestrian competition.At the Qatar Equestrian Federation's main arena yesterday, Al-Rumaihi astride his trusted mount Vivaldi K, a 15-year-old chestnut gelding, topped the Table C, Art. 239 (140/150cm) class clearing the fences during the routine with finesse and aplomb. He finished in 66.19secs only to soon return to the arena a second time on Qatar Armed Forces' Bolandro, an 11-year-old bay stallion. Al-Rumaihi and Bolandro too was a fine combine but this time it took them 67.38secs in completing the faultless routine which fetched the runners-up spot. The top two finish saw Mubarak collect QR17,500 and QR14,000 in prize money.Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi on Cantaro 32, the 17-year-old grey gelding, clocked 70.95secs to claim the third place on the podium and a prize of QR10.500. The Medium Tour class (125/135cm) saw a big field of 26 riders in final run where Saeed Nasser al-Qadi on Jessico 4 emerged on top clocking 60.02secs.Mohammed Khalid al-Qashouti, who recently excelled in the national Hathab series, finished second astride Alegro 84 in 62.2secs. Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi on Fiji was third clocking 66.52secs.In the Small Tour (110/120cm) class, Jassim Mohammed Al-Kuwari rode Va Va Voom to a winning finish with a faultless routine which took him only 59.70secs.Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi on Ferrari P.H. was second in 60.14secs, and In Shaallah Saad Hameed on her mount Casanova S.C.H. third clocking 60.58secs.The prestigious three-day competition, which carries a total prize-money of QR1mn has attracted to national riders in showjumping, dressage and Future Riders events. However, Last year's winner Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani and his Olympic teammate Bassem Hassan are not taking part this year as the duo are competing in FEI championships in Europe. Admission to the championship is free for spectators. Young equine enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to experience pony rides and have fun and frolic at the bouncing castles.ResultsBig TourTable C, Art. 239 (140/150cm) Prize-money QR70,0001. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Vivaldi K); Faults: 0; Time 66.19secs; Prize: QR17,5002. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Bolandro); 0; 67.38secs; QR14,0003. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi (Cantaro 32); 0; 70.95secs; QR10.500Medium TourTable C, Art. 239 (125/135cm) Prize-money QR50,0001. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Jessico 4); Faults: 0; Time: 60.02secs; Prize: QR12,5002. Mohammed Khalid al-Qashouti (Alegro 84); 0; 62.20secs; QR10,0003. Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi (Fiji); 0; 66.52sces; QR7,500Small TourTable C, Art.239 (110/120cm) Prize-moneyQR30,0001. Jassim Mohammed al-Kuwari (Va Va Voom); Faults:0; Time: 59.70secs; Prize: QR7,5002. Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi (Ferrari P.H.); 0; 60.14secs; QR6,0003. In Shaallah Saad Hameed (Casanova S.C.H.); 0; 60.58secs; QR4,500

Qatar to meet Morocco in World Schools Handball opener

DOHA, February 22, 2018 - Hosts Qatar will launch their campaign in the ISF World Schools Handball Championship with a clash against Morocco at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena on Thursday at 1 pm. The championship will formally begin in the morning at 10 in both the boys and girls' sections. Eighteen teams are contesting for the top honours in the boys' class, while 19 teams are taking part in the girls' section. Qatar's team manager Ali Meddi said his team is ready for their matches in Group A. Other three teams in the pool are Denmark, Austria and Poland. Denmark will also play against Poland, while France take on Bulgaria. Croatia will face Serbia, Czech Republic meet Romania and holders Turkey will meet Belgium. Brazil are pitted against Greece among the boys.In the girls' competition, six matches are scheduled. Georgia play against Belgium at 10 am, Germany meet Romania, Poland clash with Greece, champions France take on Croatia, Austria face Serbia, while Brazil meet Sweden."We're ready for the championship, though there is some pressure on us being the hosts. All the players are in good shape ahead of the opening match Morocco," Meddi said. "Our preparations could have been better if the players did not have schools and examinations. Still, the players worked very hard during whatever time was available for us. We played many friendly matches with senior teams in Qatar and I feel we're fully prepared for the championship," he added. Meddi also rued about dropping two players from the squad."We had originally prepared for the championship with 16 players but the event rules meant that we can only register 14 players. It was a hard decision but we had to make it and I am sure the axed players would not take it to their heart."The final squad consists of Hassanein Azi, Jassem Jabr al Sulaiti, Ahmed Abdullah al Kharousi, Bilal Masoud al Mararha, Talal Mohammed al Darwish, Abdulrahman al Mohammad, Hamad Mohammed al Saadi, Khaled Saif, Saif al Din Nasser Salim, Nasser Mohammed al Qubaisi, Ali Medhat Abdulhadi, Abdul Rahman Maher Hassan, Hassan Bashir Mohammed and Abdullah Mohammed al Sharqawi.The officials with the team are: Khalifa Tayseer (Team Head and Assistant Secretary-General of the Qatar Handball Association), Ali Meddi Adaria (Team Manager), Head Coach Dr. Karim Murad, Assistant Coach Ahmed Nabil, Hammad al Naqib (Physiotherapist).The opening ceremony will be held at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Hall at 6 pm. The ceremony will highlight Qatar's heritage, culture and tradition. This will be followed by a march-past by the participating teams. The organisers have planned a raffle draw and many surprise gifts will be given away to lucky fans at the venue. Besides, the organising committee has coordinated with many schools and colleges to bring their students and cheer the playing teams. The organising committee has made arrangements to bring students and persons with special needs so that they can enjoy the matches. The Technical Committee of the championship met in the evening on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Tom Christensen, the Technical Head of the International Schools Federation. All the team heads and representatives of the organising committee technical committee met to discuss the details. For Qatar, Dr. Salah Salem, the technical expert of the Qatar School Sports Federation, and Ibrahim al Shahoos, representing the QHF, took part.

Doha set to host Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

DOHA February 22, 2018-The 2018 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will begin at the Doha Golf Club on Thursday.There are plenty of big names in the fray, including 2011 winner and Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn, ever improving Indian youngster Shubhankar Sharma, Spain's Pablo Larrazabal, former Open Champions Darren Clarke and Paul Lawrie and Ryder Cup Vice Captain Robert Karlsson to promise plenty of trills in the 21st edition of the European Tour Event which has a prize money of $1.75m.The tough field consists of 138 players, including Qatar's Ali Saleh Al Kaabi and Ali Al Shahrani as well as Pakistan's Ahmed Baig, who won the Qatar Amateur Open.Qatar Golf Association President Hassan Nasser Al Naimi welcomed the players, the media and the sponsors to the event.“We are happy to have the support of Commercial Bank, all other sponsors, media etc," said Al Naimi, at a Press conference at the Doha Golf Club on Tuesday.The tournament, which was held in January last season was moved to February this time around and Al Naimi said the change was to ensure the participation of top players.Logistic reasons also played a part plenty of players were already in the Middle East playing at the Oman Open, where Joost Luiten, won the title on Sunday.Commercial Bank EGM and Chief Marketing Officer Hussein Al Abdulla said they were proud to sponsor the tournament and support the game in Qatar.“We've been sponsoring this event for the last 13 years. This is part of the overall Vision of Qatar 2030 where basically we support its sports activities and make sure the county becomes a sports hub of the world," said Commercial Bank EGM and Chief Marketing Officer Hussein Al Abdulla. “We are proud to sponsor not only on the financial side but also other activities including volunteering managing promotion, media, etc."Qatar Golf Association General Secretary Fahad Nasser Al Naimi, European Tour Chief Operations Officer Keith Waters, and Doha Golf Club General Manager Gary McGlinchey also attended the Press conference.

QADC interacts with participants in ISF World Schools Handball C’ship

DOHA, February 22, 2018 – Qatar Anti-Doping Commission (QADC) held a cultural program at Holiday Villa Doha on Wednesday to interact with the participating students in the ISF World Schools Handball Championship 2018 which taking place in Doha. HE Rabea bin Mohammed Al Kaabi, the President of Qatar School Sports Federation and chairperson of the Organizing Committee along with members of administrative and technical bodies attended the function.The program was undertaken by senior QADM members including Dr. Hassan Al Emam, Gamal Fadel Al Rumaihi and Nasser Saad Al Saad.

Skeet competitions at Qatar Open Shotgun conclude

DOHA, February 22, 2018 – The skeet competitions at the 2018 Qatar Shotgun Championship were successfully concluded at the Losail Shooting Range in Doha on Wednesday.The two-day competitions bring together more than 100 shooters (men and women) who are competing for top medals.On other hand, curtains will come down on Qatar Open Shotgun Championship 2018 on Thursday.

Qatar to host IBSF World Snooker Championship

DOHA, February 22, 2018 - Qatar is preparing to host first ever IBSF World Snooker Championship 2018 from February 27 to March 2 in Doha.IBSF President Mubarak Al Khayareen unveiled in a press conference on Wednesday that Qatar will host the IBSF World Snooker Championship which will bring together 24 teams from all cross the world.The IBSF President also outlined that valuable prize money are allocated for the top winners in the prestigious event, where the first place winners will get $ 15,000, the runners-up will collect $ 7,000 and the losers in the last four stage will receive together $ 3,500.Two teams will represent the host nation in the prestigious event, Qatar B team includes Ahmed Saif and bashar Hussain, while B team includes Mohsen Aboksheisha.