‘Fun Run’ to promote Asian Games

​DOHA, February 8, 2018-Three hundred schoolchildren along with Team Qatar champions will take part in the ‘Fun Run’, an event to promote the upcoming 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang 2018, at the Aspire Park today.Addressing a press conference, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary-general Jassim al-Buenain yesterday said, “As directed by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the QOC president, we are delighted to support the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in its campaign for the Asian Games which will be held this year in Indonesia by organising the Fun Run event tomorrow morning at the Aspire Park. Three hundred schoolchildren will participate in the event, joined by our own Team Qatar champions and other residents.” Al-Buenain also noted that the OCA is organising the series of ‘Fun Run’, a dedicated social sports development and promotion programme among 45 national Olympic Committees around the continent, to promote the Asian Games.The first ‘Fun Run’ was hosted by Pakistan in Lahore on December 7, 2017.“We carry beautiful memories from the 2006 Asian Games which were hosted in Qatar and we are very proud of the legacy it left for us. This legacy had a great impact on the development of the sport movement in the country that has now become a global sport hub,” al-Buenain said.The Asian Games will be held in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2, 2018, with 10,000 athletes from 45 countries of the region participating in 462 disciplines.Indonesia will be hosting the Asian Games for the second time, following the fourth edition in Jakarta in 1962.The Fun Run events will run right through July 18 in Jakarta, exactly one month before the opening ceremony of the Games at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in the Indonesian capital.“Jointly, teams from the QOC and the OCA are working together to organise the run. School children, professional athletes, Qatari artists are invited to participate in this special event which includes two running competitions, one for two-km for the students, and the other for one-km for the rest of the participants,” QOC’s Sport Affairs Department director Khaleel al-Jabir said.On Qatar’s preparations for the Asian Games in Indonesia, he said: “Qatar’s started its preparations last year as more than 500 athletes are expected to participate in the Asian Games. We have won 10 gold medals in the 2014 Asian Games and the QOC is working closely with its sport federations to achieve more in this year’s event.”OCA director general Husain al-Musallam thanked HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani for hosting this important event to promote the Games. “Qatar hosting this event reminds us of the 15th Asian Games in 2006 in Doha, which had a great positive impact on the sport movement not only in Qatar, but in the Middle East,” al-Musallam said.

World Schools Handball Championship to begin on February 21

​DOHA, February 7, 2018-The organizing committee of the 2018 World Schools Handball Championship has completed its preparations for the event to be staged at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena and the indoor hall of the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee from February 21 to 28, 2018. Ali Al Hitmi, Secretary General of the Qatar School Sport Association extended his thanks to the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education for supporting the tournament to be staged in the state of Qatar for the first time. The draw of the event was held last month as Qatar boys’ team will play in group (A) alongside Denmark, Australia, Poland and Morocco. Defending champions Turkey are clubbed with Brazil, Greece, India and Belgium in Group C. France, the tournament’s most successful sides with six titles and runners-up in the 2016 edition, are with Croatia, Serbia, Iran and Bulgaria in Group B while Germany, Czech Republic, Romania and Georgia complete Group D.In the girls’ competitions, which will be its 23rd edition, defending champions Denmark, France, Croatia, Belgium and Georgia are in Group D.Group A has Turkey, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria while Group B consists of Hungary, Austria, Serbia, Czech Republic and India. Slovenia, Brazil, Sweden and Greece complete Group C.

Qatar’s Abdulhadi Al Marri wins bronze in Arab Boxing Championship

DOHA, February 7, 2018- Qatar's Abdulhadi Al Marri claimed the bronze medal of 65 kg event at the Arab Youth Boxing Championship concluded in Cairo, Egypt on February 05. Mr. Yousef Al Kazem, President of the Qatar Boxing Federation congratulated Abdulhadi Al Marri on his achievement and stressed that the federation will provide the player with support to develop his skills. It is worth mentioning that the tournament brought together 48 players from 9 countries.

QOC Secretary-General congratulates Team Qatar’s champions

DOHA, February 7, 2018-The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary-general Jassim al-Buenain met with a host of Qatar's sporting heroes on Monday morning to celebrate their recent incredible sporting success on the international stage.In a celebratory session at the QOC's headquarters, al-Buenain congratulated Qatar's men's handball team, who last month became Asian handball champions for the third consecutive time and Dakar Rally runner-up Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah. Al-Buenain thanked them for their hard work, persistent efforts and sporting excellence, saying that they had made the nation proud.“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate our sport stars Nasser al-Attiyah and the handball team for their outstanding achievements. I would also like to thank them for raising the flag high for Qatar around the world. We are extremely proud of them and excited for what the future will bring. We hope that their success will inspire young athletes around Qatar to follow in their footsteps," al-Buenain said.Adding to their runner-up accomplishment at the 2015 World Men's Handball Championship and historic qualification to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Qatar's handball team won the 2018 Asian Handball Championship in Seoul, South Korea. Qatar beat Bahrain 33-31 in their final match, reserving their place at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship in Denmark and Germany in the process. “Happy for our third consecutive Asian win! I am very thankful to our federation and the QOC's efforts during our competitions in Korea. Looking forward to get ready for the Asian Games and the World Cup later this year," Qatar captain Abdulrazzaq Murad said.Talented shooter and legendary rally driver al-Attiyah claimed second place at the 40th Dakar Rally held in Peru, Bolivia and Argentina last month. The Olympic bronze medallist in skeet shooting, al-Attiyah is the only Middle Eastern athlete to ever win the Dakar Rally twice (2011, 2015).

Qatar to face Bahrain in GCC U-17 Basketball Championship

Muscat, February 7, 2018 - Qatar Youth team will lock horns against Bahrain in the prestigious GCC U-17 Basketball Championship 2018 in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday.It is worth mentioning that the Qatari side have suffered opening day defeat 74-57 at the hands of United Arab Emirates on Monday and now looking ahead to restore balance and strength when they face Bahrain on Wednesday's match.The prestigious championship is bringing together five GCC teams including hosts, Oman, Qatar, KSA, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain who are competing in the event from 5-10 February, 2018.

TEAM QATAR SPORT VILLAGE SET TO LIGHT UP NATIONAL SPORT DAY

6 February 2018 – Doha, Qatar: Once again, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) will join forces with a number of its National Federations to offer the public a wide programme of sporting activity in celebration of National Sport Day on Tuesday 13th February, including a unique Team Qatar Sport Village.The seventh edition of the special day, which has been emulated across the region since its introduction by Qatar in 2012, will see exciting sporting activities offered for all ages and abilities at the stunning Aspire Park, with the public encouraged to try new sports or pick up old ones.Sports on offer will include activities ranging from basketball, gymnastics and athletics to taekwondo and weightlifting with the public simply needing to turn up at Aspire Park between 8:30am and 4:00pm on the day to get involved.Speaking about National Sport Day, Secretary General of the QOC, H.E. Jassim Al Buenain said:“We can't wait for National Sport Day! This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with 12 federations organising activities that will give everyone the opportunity to have a go at sport. When we say everyone we really do mean it! This is a day for all ages, all abilities and all our people to come together and enjoy the thrill of being active."He continued:“Whilst festivities like this are rooted in a desire to provide a fun and informal environment for all those who want to take part, they are also extremely important if we are to nurture our next generation of superstars. That's why this year we will also be joined by Team Qatar's very best athletes who will show the way and support everyone who puts their hand up to give a sport a go." Aspire Park has been one of the main NSD venues since the initiative started and has held numerous public, private entities and international events since its conception. In partnership, Aspire is providing the needed space for the National Federations to exhibit their activities on NSD, which is integral to the smooth running of the day.The 14 National sporting federations to form the Team Qatar Sport Village will include Gymnastics, Athletics, Weightlifting, Basketball, Judo/Taekwondo, Hockey, Tennis, Sailing, Fencing, Boxing/Wrestling, Golf, Table Tennis, Volleyball and School Sports. All federations will be organising taster sessions and demonstrations, providing an opportunity for the public to be active and discover hidden talents.Doha is strengthening its status as a global sports hub year upon year. It is hosting the 11th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup next month, leading up to the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships later in October this year. The Gymnastics federation will be focal to all activations on NSD in a bid to inspire more young people to get excited and inspired by the sport. Team Qatar's Ahmed Nabil will be on hand to meet the public and share his experiences for a chance to educate and spread the sport of gymnastics.Further Team Qatar Olympic heroes will be joining in the Aspire Park National Day celebrations to share their experiences and advice with everyone, as the nation come together for a seventh consecutive year to participate in and enjoy sport.Other National federations are also holding their activities across Qatar on NSD. The public are able to try out shooting at an open day at Lusail Shooting Range, golf activities will be taking place at Katara, together with handball, equestrian, rowing, cycling, triathlon, air sports, karate and rugby activities. A swimming open day will also be taking place in Hamad Aquatic Centre, while Qatar Women's Sport Committee will hold its activities at its premises in Al Waab.National Sport Day was established in 2012 with the aim of uniting the nation in a shared celebration of sport and inspiring people to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Qatar is one of the only countries in the world to dedicate a public holiday to sport and the number of people that turned up to join in activities in the past years show how it continues to be a huge success.You can keep up to date with all news and information on the Team Qatar social media channels, as well as by signing up to the Team Qatar Club, where you will also have access to exclusive content, offers and competitions. It is free and easy to sign up – just head to www.olympic.qa/en/teamqatarclub.