Qatar Gymnastics Federation president Ali al-Hitmi talks to Qatari gymnasts Mahmoud al-Saadi and Ahmad al-Dayani ahead of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup. Right: QGF president Ali al-Hitmi checks on the preparation at Aspire Academy of Sports Excellence, the venue for FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
The participating delegations in the 2015 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup began arriving in Doha earlier this week. The event will be held at Aspire Academy of Sports Excellence from tomorrow onwards and will conclude on Friday, March 27.
The delegations of Japan, Croatia, and South Africa arrived in Doha yesterday and began their training session at Aspire Academy immediately after arriving in Doha.
The gymnasts of Indonesia, Turkey France and Philippines also arrived in Doha as the arrival of the participating delegations will be completed today as the event will begin tomorrow.
The tournament will feature the participation of 33 countries to be represented by 80 gymnasts in men’s competitions, 43 gymnasts in women’s competitions and 49 umpires.
The FIG Artistic Gymnastics Challenge Cup Series is held in 7 countries including the State of Qatar. The tour began last week in Germany.
The list of the other hosting nations includes Slovenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Portugal and Croatia. The FIG Challenge Cup will be concluded before the beginning of the World Championship to be held in October 2015.
Ali al-Hitmi, president of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) and chairman of the event’s organising committee said that Doha is ready to host the world event. Al-Hitmi stressed that the event will be of the highest standard. “It is our pride that we have earned the trust of the International Gymnastics Federation to host such an important event in Qatar. We have the best possible facilities and infrastructure to host any world class event,” he said.
He added: “Gymnasts like to come here as we provide them the world class facilities. They appreciate the high quality of event and hospitality, which they experience here.”
Two days before the tournament, al-Hitmi met with the Qatari gymnasts, who will participate in the event. Al-Hitmi urged the Qatari players to live up to the expectations of the Qatari fans and show the level that reflects a positive image for Qatari gymnastics.
The Qatari squad includes Mahmoud al-Saadi, Ahmad al-Dayani and Farah Tariq Mahmoud.
For her part, the QGF assistant secretary general and the tournament director Abeer al-Boanain was delighted by the level of the Qatari preparations for the world event.
She stressed that the participation of three Qatari players in the World Challenge Cup reflects the development of gymnastics in Qatar.
On the other hand, the organising committee of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup will hold a press conference today at the venue, to present the star gymnasts who are participating in the event.
The media committee of the event has prepared a world-class media centre that befits the reputation of such a world event which is expected be covered by representatives of various international news agencies.
The organising committee is also keen to publish updates and tournament data on its official website www.dohagym.com.
The website provides its visitors with all the necessary information about the tournament including the competition and practice schedule.
