Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) celebrated on Thursday its 40th Anniversary in a ceremony held at Kempinski Doha Hotel.

In a speech during the ceremony, HE President of QOC Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani welcomed the guests, pointing that the founding of QOC has contributed to drawing the sports development rout in the State of Qatar, thanks to the efforts made by HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who announced founding the QOC on March 14, 1979.

‘Since that day, sports in Qatar have been steadily advancing under the leadership of the its presidents who lead the Qatari sports movement and undertook the continuation of its march with confidence, competence and efficiency that have had a great impact on the development of the Olympic movement, followed by an important milestone when HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Assumed the Presidency of Qatar Olympic Committee in December 2000, which marked a turning point in the history of Qatari sport,’ said HE Sheikh Joaan.

‘Doha has become beacon of pride, thanks to the guidance and directives of HH the Amir, who has established Qatar's status globally, and made sport one of the important factors in the pillars of sustainable development of the country,’ His Excellency added, praising the efforts of the champions, who exerted their efforts over the past decades, and achieved the best continental and international achievements that put Qatar in its current leading sport position.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani went on saying: ‘Over 40 years, the Qatar Olympic Committee has made accomplishments in various fields and at all levels. QOC has made a quantum leap in sports work and has had an active presence in continental and international forums and in various sports events and competitions in which Qatari athletes participated and won several titles and medals’.

HE QOC President said that with the outstanding presence of the State of Qatar, the great development of its sports infrastructure, and the world-class sports facilities, Doha has deserved to be named the capital of sport, as it organized major international tournaments that strengthened the sporting status of the State of Qatar. In addition, QOC has received numerous accolades and awards in various sectors and has instilled a number of concepts through slogans such as Sports for Life, he added.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani concluded his speech affirming QOC's keenness and commitment to achieving the objectives of promoting and developing the Olympic Movement in Qatar and developing it in accordance with the Olympic Charter in addition to advancing with its strategy in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Related Story