Competition Manager for the 12th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, Abeer al-Buainain has said the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) was committed to delivering another successful edition of the event, which will see top gymnasts in action from tomorrow at Aspire Dome.
Al-Buainain was speaking on the sidelines of a promotional event for the World Cup, held at Mall of Qatar on Sunday night. Several gymnasts from various age groups, representing QGF wowed the spectators who turned out in numbers.
“The hosting of this 12th edition of the World Gymnastics Championships is a challenge and we are looking forward to staging another successful event,” said al-Buainain. “Interest shown by the people here is a proof that gymnastics is becoming popular in the country and we hope to continue delivering such big events,” she added.
“Gymnastics is no less important than other sports, so Qatar is keen to develop it among athletes from an early age. It is a basic sport to build a sporty body that is fit, flexible, dynamic and focused,” said al-Buainain. The promotional event was attended by several officials including QGF President Ali al-Hitmi.
Meanwhile, gymnasts from various countries underwent training sessions at the Aspire Dome, yesterday. Several Olympic and world champions are among the star-studded line-up which is taking part in the four-day event in Doha. A total of 128 male and 60 female gymnasts from 57 countries will be seen in action in the highly-anticipated event, which QGF is organising for the 12th consecutive year. Qatar also hosted the 48th FIG ART World Championships last October, which was dubbed as the ‘best-ever’ edition. “I am confident that we will live up to expectation and host another successful competition,” al-Hitmi said.
“The World Championships last year was a huge success and hailed as the best-ever event by top FIG officials. It motivates us to continue hosting events on that scale. Though it is difficult task to maintain top standards, I am confident of our team will be able to that successfully,” he added.
Apart from targeting the medals, gymnasts will also vie for berths that are on offer for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Top star featuring in the event includes world champions Xiao Ruoteng and Zou Jingyuan of China and Epke Zonderland of the Netherlands.
World’s oldest Olympian Oksana Chusovitina, 43, who is targeting her record eighth appearance at the Games, will also be competing in Doha along with Belgium’s reigning world champion Nina Derwael.
Hosts, Qatar will be represented by three gymnasts — Ahmed al-Dayani, Ahmed Mosa and Raslan Saoud — in the event.
Young gymnasts perform during a promotional event for the 12th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup at Mall of Qatar on Sunday night.
