Anil John

The stage is set, the participants ready. For about 10 days now, starting tomorrow, Qatar will be the hub of the athletics world where only sweat and toil count.

There will be an air of expectation when Qatar take a big step into the unknown as they take on Paraguay in the Copa America today at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium, a venue that has been witness to dreams being made and crushed in equal measure. The match will begin at 10pm Qatar Time.

‘It’s going to be a big challenge but at the same time it’s also a great opportunity to gain some great experience’

For more than two years now, motorists heading towards Al Wakrah from all directions must have wondered how fantastic the new World Cup stadium springing out of the desert would look when it’s finally ready for a grand debut.

‘Al Arabi are a big club with big ambitions... I like the people around the club’

Qatar Football Association honours companies for supporting national football team

What makes watching sport an exercise well worth the time you invest is getting to see someone upset all calculations predicated on form and pedigree, and walk away with the top prize.

Romanian top seed reaches her second Doha final despite trailing 1-4 in the third set; Belgian stuns third seed Kerber