The Organizing Committee of the Schools Olympic Program (SOP) held a press conference at the QOC Headquarters on Sunday to brief media on the latest arrangements for the 16th edition of the event.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Chairman of Organizing Committee thanked the QOC President H.E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and the QOC Secretary General H.E Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain for their support to the SOP. He also thanked Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani for attending the final day of girls’ event at the last edition.

Chairman of Organizing Committee stressed that the new edition of the SOP aims to prepare a new generation of Qatar athletes in preparation for 2030 Asian Games to be staged in Doha.

Hamad Al Obaidly, Deputy Chairman of SOP Organizing Committee said that the new edition will feature 18 sports including Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Gymnastics, Swimming Athletics, Table Tennis, Fencing, Tennis, Shooting, Chess, Taekwondo, Padel, Hockey and Beach Volleyball.

The SOP, a prestigious national sports program, is held annually as a collaborative effort of QSSA and Ministry of Education and Higher Education, with hundreds of students competing from all over Qatar.

The program goes in line with other initiatives in economic, social, human and environmental spheres undertaken by Qatar government as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Qatar Esports Federation has announced its message, vision and objectives a during a press conference held at Doha Tower on Tuesday.

The press conference was attended by the QESF President Sheikh Abdullah bin Faleh Al Thani, QESF Secretary General Mr. Faisal Abdulrahman Khalid, QESF Assistant Secretary General Mr. Khalifa Al Haroon, and QESF Board Members: Sheikha Abeer bint Nooh Al Thani, Sheikh Nasser bin Khalid Al Thani, Ms. Moza Al Mohannadi, and Mr. Nasser Abdulla Al Hajri.

The QESF President Sheikh Abdullah bin Faleh Al Thani stressed that launching the QESF is a dream come true to develop regulations and plans to promote esport in out community.

The QESF President also highlighted that the mission of the federation is to develop esports in Qatar, expand the base of community participation and become a leading federation that fosters the growth and development of Esports in Qatar.

In addition, the QESF signed a MoU with QUEST esports company and on his behalf, the CEO and founder of QUEST Mr. Elie Honain said: “Today, we have marked another important milestone in the growth of esports in Qatar. Through our partnership with the Qatar eSports Federation, we will be able to grow our local talent pool through additional support and training, as well as increase the frequency of live competitions – both intrinsic pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030’s plans for supporting the broader sports ecosystem and youth development. Qatar has already made significant moves in becoming the region’s leading eSports hub and this collaboration is only set to enhance that.”

From his part, QESF Secretary General Mr. Faisal Abdulrahman Khalid shed lights on the vision and brand  of the federation. The logo concept came to place by bridging the first letter of Qatar in both English and Arabic to symbolize a joystick.

"The federation aims to establish a culture of Esports in Qatar and provide talented athletes with a clear path for professional progression to be able to represent Qatar at international levels." He said.

Dr. Al Nuaimi gave the opening speech at the press conference with a message of thank and gratitude to H.H The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his unlimited support to the country’s amazing sport movement.

The QCSF President has also appreciated the constant effort of H.E the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and the QOC Secretary General, H.E Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain to high education sport activities and their immense help that made the QCSF’s initiative became true.

Dr. Al Nuaimi said our message is to build up high education institutions that will play a center stage role in the sports at both regional and global levels. Our vision is to build better sport activities for students of high education institutions, namely, Universities, colleges, institutes in Qatar. We are leaving no stone unturned to discover the most talented students and taking our University sports to a new level of excellence locally, regionally and internationally.

“ Our key objective is to develop the sport and physical activities at the high education institutions in a way that could significantly strengthen the sport culture and encourage society individuals and high education students to exercise sports day in day out” said Dr. Al Nuaimi.

“The QCSF is an entity acts as a complementary level to the sport activities being organized at the primary, intermediate and secondary schools throughout Schools Olympic Program” added Dr. Al Nuaimi.

Dr. Al Nuaimi said sport will continue playing a key role in Qatar 2020 National Vision, we aspire to see Qatar having a leading global sport status by bringing the world together throughout sustainable sport development.

“ I’m truly feel pride to see our beloved country Qatar having a leading record in hosting the local, continental, and global sport events” concluded Dr. Al Nuaimi.

For his part, the QCSF Secretary General, Mr. Rashid Saed Mohammed has delivered a productive presentation on the QCSF’s message, vision, objectives. He said that this pioneer federation will leave no stone unturned to discover the most talented students who can support the Qatar’s national teams and the sport clubs.