Qatar set to host World Schools Championship

​DOHA, February 15, 2018-Preparations are underway to stage the World School Handball Championship in Qatar from February 21 to 28. Organised by the Qatar School Sports Association (QSSF) under the patronage of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), the 24th edition of the championship will be held across three venues – Ali bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Hall at Al Sadd Club, Aspire Dome and Women's Sports Hall in Aspire.Hosts Qatar has only fielded boys' team in the championship, and they are drawn in Group A along with Denmark, Austria, Poland and Morocco. Qatar will play their first match against Morocco on February 22 at 1pm.

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to begin on February 22

DOHA, February 15, 2018-The 21st edition of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will be held at Doha Golf Club from February 22 to 25, its organisers have confirmed.The highly-anticipated European Tour event is organised by The Qatar Golf Association (QGA), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Doha Golf Club and long-term title sponsor, Commercial Bank. The tournament is considered Qatar's annual 'must-attend' sporting and social event. First held in 1998, the tournament is widely known for bringing together the world's best golf talent; the likes of Branden Grace, Sergio Garcia, Rory Mcllroy, Justin Rose, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Henrik Stenson have all competed in past years.The Qatar Masters was attended by over 20,000 spectators in 2017 and broadcast to a global TV audience of over 400 million viewers. For the 21st edition of the event, all eyes will be on Doha as the biggest names in the sport vie for the Mother of Pearl Trophy on one of the most challenging courses on the Tour.“The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is a leading fixture on Qatar's sporting calendar. Since its inception, the event has complemented the growth of golf in the country. The tournament also continues to contribute to encouraging young Qataris to take up the sport and learn from the European Tour stars," said Hassan Al Naimi, President of QGA.“Preparations are well underway, together with our partners who have played a vital role in enhancing the event experience for both players and spectators each year. We look forward to welcoming the players, golf fans and our valued sponsors to Doha Golf Club for another edition of world-class golf in February 2018," added Al Naimi.Joseph Abraham, Group CEO of Commercial Bank, added: “The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is one of Qatar's most popular annual sporting events and offers something for everyone – players, golf fans and families. Golf fans can watch the world's best golfers in action and families can enjoy a weekend outdoors socialising in the family zone, public village and shopping boulevard. The event is also a huge opportunity for some of Qatar's promising young golfers to play alongside the best players in the world. We are proud to be working with the QGA, QOC and Doha Golf Club again, to stage one of the leading golfing events in the region."

HH Sheikha Moza takes part in National Sport Day activities at Education City

Doha, February 14, 2018-QNA-The Chairperson of Qatar Foundation HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, participated in National Sport Day celebrations on Tuesday morning at Education City campus.Sheikha Moza was joined by President of Qatar Olympic Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of State H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Alistair Routledge and a large number of people from the community.The activities began with a Walkathon at the Education City Student Center, as well as cycling and ultramarathon race for 40 and 50 kilometers, respectively, which took off from the Ceremonial Court at the Education City.In addition, visitors of Al Shaqab stadium enjoyed a champions challenge where they competed in teams in competitions that required strength, strategy, balance, focus and competitiveness.

HH the Father Emir Participates in National Sport Day

Doha, February 14, 2018-QNA-HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani participated in Qatar National Sport Day activities.HH the Father Emir carried out a walking exercise in the front yard of Emiri Diwan on Tuesday morning.HH also saw a show of camels and pure Arabian horses.HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers also participated along with HH the Father Emir.

HH the Emir leads the nation in celebrating Sport Day

DOHA, February 14, 2018 – QNA-His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday led a large number of Qatar residents and visitors in celebrating the seventh National Sport Day (NSD) on a grand scale at locations across the country to raise awareness of the importance of sport and its role in the life of communities.His Highness the Emir rode a bicycle through Doha Corniche and the West Bay towers area, sending out a message to keep practicing different kinds of sport for good health and fitness.

Muguruza first to reach third round of Qatar Total Open

DOHA, February 14, 2018-Wimbledon champion and fourth seed Garbine Muguruza registered a 6-3 6-4 win over China's Duan Yingying to emerge the first player to clinch a berth in the third round on Tuesday while France's Kristina Mladenovic defeated China's Shuai Peng 6-2 6-4 and Czech Petra Kvitova cruised to a 6-0 6-3 triumph over Turkey's Cagla Buyukakcay.The former world No.1 Muguruza, who is making her fourth appearance at the annual WTA Premier 5 tournament, Muguruza is now one win away from repeating her best result in Doha, reaching the quarters in 2016 where she lost to Andrea Petkovic in three sets in three sets.Two time Wimbledon champion Kvitova completed her eighth straight wins with her victory against the 28-year-old Turkish player at the end of the third match on Centre Court on the day. The Czech also reached a milestone with the result being her 360th main draw career victory.The world No. 21 Kvitova, who is making her fifth main draw appearance at tournament, was just too strong for the world No.160 Buyukakcay, who last week shocked Jelena Ostapenko during the Fed Cup for her first top victory.Buyukakcay had a career breakthrough in Doha back in 2016, when she upset then-World No.7 Lucie Safarova, and later that year she became the first Turkish player to win a WTA title in Istanbul.Meanwhile, Mladenovic maintained her return to form with her maiden main draw win in Doha. The Frenchwoman comfortably beat Shuai, one of four Chinese women in the main draw of the tournament. Peng, a 2014 US Open semi-finalist, has now exited the Qatar Total Open in the first round for the second year in a row after suffering the 100th defeat to a top 20 ranked opponent.In the other matches of the day, Great Britain's Johanna Konta reached the second round with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 victory over American qualifier Bernarda Pera while American 12th seed Madison Keys beat Qiang Wang of China 6-1 6-4.