Sport

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.
Gulf Times

Qatar Olympic Committee unveils 2026 sports calendar

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has officially announced today its comprehensive calendar of sports events and competitions for 2026. The calendar features 83 championships, including 39 international events, 16 world championships, 10 Asian tournaments, three GCC competitions, one Arab championship, and 14 domestic events, scheduled throughout the 2026 sporting season. The sporting calendar kicks off in January 2026 with a distinguished series of events, led by the First Tour of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix, followed by the WTT Contender and the Second Tour of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix. This month also features the Asian Shotgun Cup 2026, the fourth edition of the International Series Qatar Golf Championship, Doha FIP Promises Padel Tournament, the third and fourth Tours of HH the Father Amir Cup Equestrian Prix, Qatar Fencing Grand Prix (Epee), the first PSA Qatar Satellite Squash Tournament, WTT Youth Star Contender and Doha FIP Padel Bronze Tournament, setting an energetic and prestigious start to the season. Sporting momentum continues in February with Qatar Masters Golf Championship, Qatar TotalEnergies Open, alongside celebrations of the National Sport Day, held in parallel with the QOC Half Marathon. The month also includes H.H the Amir’s Sword International Equestrian Festival, 2026 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Doha International Basketball Tournament, CHI Al Shaqab, and the Second Satellite Squash Championship, highlighting Qatar’s rich diversity of sporting disciplines.In March, Doha hosts elite international events, including the Second Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers, Longines Global Champions Tour, Al Shaqab Cup, VW-Beach Pro Tour Elite16, Qatar Olympic Committee Equestrian Cup and the highly anticipated Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, making March one of the most competitive months on the calendar. April features a vibrant mix of local and international championships, headlined by Qatar Basketball Cup Final, Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup, and the 40th Amateur Qatar Open Golf Championship. The month also includes Qatar Volleyball Cup Final, GCC Tennis Championships (U12–16), Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel Tournament, the Closing Ceremony of the Girls’ Olympic Schools Program, FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, Qatar Handball Cup Final, Amir Cup Volleyball Final, eFIBA World Cup, Amir Handball Cup Final, the first ITF Qatar Junior Tennis Championship, Amir Basketball Cup Final, and the Closing Ceremony of the Boys’ Olympic Schools Program, making April one of the busiest months of the season. The spotlight in May turns to football with HH the Amir Football Cup Final and Qatar Football Cup Final, alongside the Qatar Junior Open Squash Championship, the Second Qatar ITF World Tennis Junior Tour, the West Asia Beach Volleyball Tour (Men and Women), Diamond League Athletics Meeting, the first and second Asian Junior Tennis Championships, FIBA U23 3x3 Youth Basketball League, PSA World Bronze Seniors Tournament, and Asian Beach Volleyball Tour, sustaining Qatar’s sporting momentum regionally and internationally. In May 2026, the State of Qatar will host the 4th GCC Games, welcoming elite Gulf athletes who will compete across 18 sporting events, held in nine premier sports venues June and July host major events including the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, celebrations of Olympic Day, and the third Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers, further reinforcing Qatar’s leadership in hosting premier international competitions. In August, Doha welcomes 2026 FIVB U17 World Volleyball Championship, alongside the fourth Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, continuing Qatar’s successful track record in staging global sporting events. September features 2026 FIBA Asia U18 Cup, 2026 FISU World University Weightlifting Championship, and QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026, reflecting Qatar’s strong commitment to youth development and sporting excellence. Sporting action continues in October with PSA 4 Challenger Senior Tournament, the sixth Qatar Open Taekwondo Championship, and the first international junior tennis tournaments, underlining Qatar’s growing influence on the global sports stage.November stands out with a packed schedule, including the Youth Games, the World Padel Championship, ISSF World Shooting Championship, PSA 5 Challenger Senior Tournament, the Third Asian Junior Tennis Championship, 2026 T100 Triathlon World Championship Final Qatar, the second Doha FIP Padel Bronze Tournament, the fourth Asian U14 Tennis Championship, the Second Doha FIP Promises Padel Tournament, the 45th Arab Men’s Golf Championship, and the fifth Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers, making it one of the most eventful months of the season. The sporting calendar concludes in December with the first and second ITF Qatar Men’s Tennis Championships, the 11th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup, the 3x3 Basketball World Tour, and the 10th GCC Golf Championship for Juniors (U16), the 5th for Boys (U13), the 9th for Women, and the 3rd for Girls (U13), bringing the 2025–2026 season to a remarkable close. On this occasion, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee, affirmed that the approval of the 2026 sports events calendar comes within the framework of integrated institutional planning for the sports sector, reflecting the scale and diversity of sporting activity scheduled throughout the new year. He explained that the calendar includes 83 championships, comprising world, international, continental, GCC, and domestic events, prepared in accordance with precise organizational and technical standards, ensuring coordination with national federations and relevant stakeholders, optimal utilization of sports venues, and enhanced efficiency of implementation throughout the year. He added that the calendar serves as a key reference for the sector’s operations during the year, contributing to the unification of planning, implementation, and monitoring mechanisms among the various concerned entities. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen integration with the Qatar Olympic Committee’s strategic programs, support the readiness of national federations, and ensure the sustainable hosting of events in line with the highest organizational and technical standards, in alignment with the overarching objectives of developing the national sports ecosystem.


Indian GM Viswanathan Anand (second left), a five-time World Champion, makes the first round between Ju Wenjun (left) of China and Luong Phuong Hanh of Vietnam during the women’s Blitz first round of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships at the Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University, in Doha yesterday. Mohamed al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess Association, is also present. Pictures: Noushad Thekkayil

Carlsen fumes in Doha as Erigaisi shares Blitz lead

Known for his theatrics, Carlsen stuns fans by slamming the table in frustration after a costly mistake Trust chess maverick Magnus Carlsen to create drama when things are not going to plan. The drama at the FIDE World Blitz Championships reached a fever pitch in Doha yesterday when world number No 1 Carlsen suffered a stunning ninth-round defeat to India’s Arjun Erigaisi. Known for his theatrics, Carlsen stunned onlookers by slamming the table in frustration after a costly mistake. A quick handshake followed as Carlsen walked off frustrated but the outburst immediately became the primary talking point of the tournament at Qatar University. At the close of play yesterday, Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Fabiano Caruana were neck-and-neck at the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship, sharing the lead with 10/13 pointsWith six rounds of the Swiss stage remaining, all eyes are on Carlsen; despite his recent Rapid title win, two losses have left him trailing the leaders by a full point.“I was a bit unhappy that I forgot about the A5-pawn hanging - it should’ve been a draw, it’s an unfortunate way to lose for him,” a composed Erigaisi said after beating Carlsen. “Although I won within time but I think I played well in the middle, got into a winning position but then I messed up as something happened. But I played well the latter part,” the Indian said. In a stunning upset yesterday, world champion D Gukesh lost to 12-year-old Sergey Sklokin in the third round and was 26th with 8.5 points.Dutch IM Eline Roebers yesterday finished the day as leader of the women’s pack with 8.5 points out of 10 games. Starting in round five, she won six games in a row, notably against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina in round nine. Qatar gears up for chess finale The world’s elite chess stage is set for its final act as the World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships prepare to conclude today.Hamad al-Tamimi, Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association and Tournament Director, yesterday confirmed that preparations are finalised for the closing ceremony, scheduled for 7:00pm today. The festivities will follow immediately after the high-stakes final match of the Blitz Championship. Beyond the crowning of world champions, al-Tamimi emphasised the tournament’s lasting impact on the local sporting landscape. He described the event as a “crucial milestone” for the Qatari national team, highlighting the invaluable exposure it provided to the nation’s youth. “This has been a unique opportunity for our young players to observe the world’s top-ranked masters in person,” al-Tamimi stated. He noted that the QCA’s goal is to inspire future generations to pursue chess professionally and elevate the sport’s standard within the country. Global praise for QCA The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially recognised Qatar’s hosting efforts, issuing a statement on its official website praising the ‘exceptional organisational atmosphere’ of the tournament. The global governing body specifically highlighted the high-quality competition hall, optimised for high-level focus and play, as well as the seamless logistics involving accommodation and facilities for international delegations. Furthermore, FIDE expressed admiration for the fan zone, noting that the engaging side events and activities successfully brought the tournament to life for spectators, while also commending the overall excellence in officiating throughout the competition. The sentiment of success was echoed by Dr Yousef al-Mahasneh, Head of the Referees Committee. Describing the atmosphere as ‘exceptional’, al-Mahasneh pointed to the tournament as a landmark moment for Qatari officiating.Notably, the event featured prominent local referees, including Hussein al-Haddad and Sarah al-Mohannadi.This event marked a significant career debut for al-Mohannadi, who recently earned her IM badge, signalling a new era of Qatari representation in the upper echelons of chess regulation.