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Germany’s Ying Han recorded one of the greatest wins of her career, knocking out top seed Wang Manyu over seven games (11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6) to reach the semis of the WTT Champions Doha 2026 at the Lusail Sports Arena Saturday. Han went into the tie as the World No 22, and had never progressed past the quarter-final at a WTT Champions event. Wang is the current World No 2 and only recently defended her WTT Finals title. “Of course, I am extremely pleased with my performance because I have never beaten her before; the best I ever did was win one game against her. My goal today was to win two games, and when I won the third game, I started to get a little bit of belief. And then I just wanted to give it my all for every point,” said Ying Han This match was Han’s third quarter-final at this level, but the win was not just a giant killing. Edging Wang over seven games means Han has become the oldest player to reach a WTT Champions semis, aged 42 years and 256 days old. In today’s semis, Han will again have to pull off a historic upset by beating No. 6 seed Zhu Yuling of Macau if she hopes to move one step closer to the title. The last time Han met Zhu was also here in Doha back in 2016. Today’s match will be the first WTT clash between the pair. Yuling, the the former World No 1, downed Wang Yidi 11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 to progress to the semi-final. Zhu, who celebrates her 31st birthday Saturday, has been in fantastic form all week at Lusail Sports Arena, having not gone behind once in her first three matches and having only dropped a total of four games. “I cherished every moment throughout the entire match because I don’t get too many opportunities to compete with highly skilled players like Wang Yidi. I’d treat it as an intense training for myself. Today, I performed at my best at every moment and settled into the first game fast,” said Yuling In the all-Chinese women’s semi-final, third seed Chen Xingtong will take on second seed Man Kuai. The men’s singles will contested between China’s top seed Lin Shidong and South Korea’s Jan Woojin, while Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto will face Chinese Taipie’s Lin Yun-Ju. In the quarters, top seed Shidong overcame Liang Jingkun, while Woojin beat Truls Moregard. Harimoto also advanced with a win over Felix Lebrun and Yun-Ju delivered a flawless performance to defeat Sora Matushima. 

At Art Factory Lusail, Fox Hills, a quiet exhibition space is currently drawing visitors into a world of unspoken emotions, fleeting moments and deeply personal reflections. The reason is Soul in Strokes, the latest solo exhibition by Dr Sreekumar Padmanabhan, a medical professional whose paintbrush has become as powerful a tool of healing as his stethoscope.The week-long exhibition, which was kicked off on 2 January, features a compelling series of realistic oil and acrylic works that explore everyday life, human expressions and the subtle emotions often overlooked in modern routines.“From the name Soul in Strokes, I wanted to capture emotions, the very essence of the soul, through my brush,” Dr Padmanabhan explains. “In our busy lives, we forget to appreciate the beauty in small moments. These paintings give those moments a space to be seen.”Each artwork is accompanied by a short narrative describing what inspired its creation, encouraging visitors to not only observe but also reflect. The result is an immersive viewing experience where art becomes conversation between the canvas and the viewer, and often within the viewer’s own memories.Dr Padmanabhan has spent more than 18 years in Qatar, building a medical career rooted in discipline, service and continuous learning. He arrived in Doha in 2007 after a decade of medical practice in the UAE and currently serves as a doctor in the government sector. His professional journey includes advanced qualifications such as MRCGP and specialised diplomas in Occupational Health, Diving Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. He also conducts multiple training programmes at the Hamad International Training Center.Yet, alongside this structured medical path runs a parallel life shaped by creativity.“I paint whenever I get free time. It is not something I have to plan; it just happens,” he says. “Painting keeps me grounded.”What makes Soul in Strokes especially distinctive is the way it mirrors Dr Padmanabhan’s multicultural life journey. His Indian roots, professional life in Qatar, interactions across the Middle East and travels abroad all quietly surface through the faces, settings and emotions portrayed in his paintings.Being self-taught, his artistic evolution has been shaped by observation, curiosity and constant experimentation.“I learn by watching people, their expressions, their silences, their stories,” he shares. “I hope people can see my growth through my paintings.”His works often focus on people, not as posed subjects, but as carriers of stories, emotions and lived realities. Viewers frequently find themselves emotionally drawn to his canvases, connecting the scenes to their own personal experiences.“Art is not just about technique,” he reflects. “It is about making people feel something.”A member of the Katara Fine Arts Society, Dr Padmanabhan has participated in nearly 60 exhibitions in Qatar, including about 15 solo shows and more than 17 group exhibitions at Katara alone. He is also a familiar face as a jury member for children’s art competitions, quietly nurturing young creative talent.Despite this extensive artistic footprint, he remains humble, introducing himself first as a doctor, and letting his paintings speak for him.For him, artistic success is not measured in sales, but in emotional connection.“When someone stands in front of a painting and sees their own story in it, that is my real reward,” he says.A cultural connectorLiving in Qatar has further shaped his belief in multicultural harmony. He speaks warmly of working alongside colleagues from across the world and of the natural closeness that grows within Qatar’s compact and diverse society.He is currently also part of the Katara group exhibition ‘From Qatar’, which brings together artists of different nationalities, reflecting the country’s cultural mosaic.At the heart of his philosophy lies the Indian principle Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is God), a value that influences both his medical practice and his artistic interactions.“As a doctor, I always ask myself how I would like to be treated if I were the patient. That is how I treat people,” he says.While realism remains the foundation of his work, Dr Padmanabhan plans to explore simplified styles, mixed media, story-driven compositions and larger-format works in future exhibitions — signalling a new creative chapter ahead.In his world, healing does not end in the clinic.It continues — quietly and beautifully — on canvas.

The world’s fastest sport is taking centre stage in the desert. Starting today, the Lusail Sports Hall transforms into a global coliseum as the 31st edition of the Qatar Open that kicks off a month-long marathon of elite competition. This isn’t just a tournament; it’s a high-stakes statement of intent from Qatar, solidifying its status as the undisputed hub of the international game under the leadership of Hamad al-Hammadi and the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA).**media[401773]**The opening act, WTT Champions Doha 2026, is a lean and mean sprint featuring only the best of the best. A staggering $500,000 prize money is up for grabs. A curated field of 64 players, 32 men and 32 women, representing over 50 nations - will battle for supremacy over five days of intense, single-elimination play. There are no ‘easy draws’ in a field this deep, and the official bracket has already served up some mouth-watering matchups that feel like gold-medal finals. In the men’s singles, all eyes are on the top-seeded Lin Shidong of China, who faces a dangerous opening test against the electric French rising star Flavien Coton.**media[401774]**Meanwhile, a clash of styles and generations looms as veteran German powerhouse Dimitrij Ovtcharov goes head-to-head with Brazil’s human highlight reel, Hugo Calderano, in a first-round bout that promises to set the arena on fire. But the WTT Champions is merely the first chapter in a massive January ‘Grand Slam’ for the city. Once the first trophy is raised on the 11th, the action moves immediately into the WTT Star Contender from January 13-18, bringing 170 players into the fold. The focus then shifts to the ‘Next Gen’ stars with back-to-back Youth Contender and Youth Star Contender events, before finally concluding with the WTT Feeder Doha at the end of the month. This tiered gauntlet offers something for everyone, from world number ones to emerging talents fighting for their first ranking points. With more than 200 participants including coaches and world-class training partners on-site, Doha has officially become the preferred destination for the global sports community. The QTTA has transformed the Lusail Sports Arena into a fortress of world-class infrastructure, proving that the nation’s sporting vision extends far beyond the football pitch. For the next five days and the weeks that follow, the world will be watching the blur of the ball and the grit of the players as Doha reminds the world why it is the capital of international table tennis. The paddles are out, the draw is set, and the first serve is just hours away. Doha: The countdown clock to the opening WTT Series event of the season is approaching its final ticks, with the first-ever WTT Champions Doha 2026 taking over Lusail Sports Arena from January 7-11. Amongst the superstar names are two of Qatar’s finest players. Wildcard entries for the five-day spectacle, Aia Mohamed and Mohammed Abdulwahhab make their WTT Champions debut, joining the world’s best players in an exclusive event reserved for the table tennis elite. Despite this marking a first-time appearance for both players at this level, Aia and Abdulwahhab are no strangers to the spotlight. Both Qatari players were present at last year’s ITTF World Championships Finals in Doha, flying the home flag with great pride. While Aia’s hopes were dashed at the first hurdle, Abdulwahhab picked up a mighty 4-0 win in his opening round clash against Alfred Dela Pena, finishing in the Top 64 positions in the Men’s Singles field. The memories of competing at a home World Championships Finals will stick with both players throughout the rest of their careers, and soon they will have another taste of the big time as WTT Champions comes to town. Today evening, Abdulwahhab will step out onto the event venue with a huge clash against No 7 seed Sora Matsushima, with Aia rounding off the action one day later against Prithika Pavade. Wang Manyu, Miwa Harimoto, Lin Shidong, Truls Moregard – these are just some of the world class names set to compete at Lusail Sports Arena, with highly coveted trophies and the lion’s share of the $500,000 prize money up for grabs. For Aia and Abdulwahhab, the honour of competing at this level is something to cherish unto itself. An opportunity to test their credentials and learn from the very best is a tantalising prospect, and with home advantage on their side, they can dare to dream. 

Qatar Museums (QM) announced the launch of the Lusail Museum Conversations, an ongoing series of public lectures and events. The inaugural season, titled The Late Ottoman World: At the Roots of the Modern Middle East, runs from January to April and will take place at Georgetown University in Qatar. Across five in-depth talks, the series examines questions of authority, artistic expression, reform, and belonging during the 19th century, revealing the foundations of many dynamics that continue to shape the region today. This is the first of a longer cycle of thematic seasons.Designed as a platform for dialogue, scholarship, and cultural exchange, the programme invites audiences to explore, with leading speakers, the cities, stories, and figures of the 19th-century Middle East and beyond. Through conversations led by internationally recognised historians and cultural figures who are also acclaimed storytellers, audiences will learn unexpected stories about late Ottoman culture and the roots of the modern Middle East, discovering how people negotiated the challenges and appeal of European modernity in a world rooted in its own history.The inaugural season brings together five lectures and a film screening, each delving into key aspects of the late Ottoman world. From exploring the intersections of art, authority, and reform, to questions of identity and cultural exchange, the talks examine how pivotal figures and events shaped the cultural and artistic landscapes of the 19th-century Middle East.Audiences will gain insight into palace culture, diplomacy, the experiences of imperial elites, the contributions of women artists, and the legacies of memory and migration in the region. Season One traces art, power, and identity across the late Ottoman world and its peripheries. It opens on January 13 with Edhem Eldem’s Princes, Patrons, and Painters, which examines how the last Ottoman caliph, Abdülmecid (1868–1944), used painting to project modernity and responsibility after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution, revealing the paradoxes of imperial modernisation.On January 27, Ridha Moumni’s At the Empire’s Edge explores 19th-century Tunis, showing how rulers reshaped political imagery, ceremony, and architecture, beginning with the Bey’s 1846 visit to Paris, to position the country between Ottoman reform, Mediterranean exchange, and emerging statehood.The third talk, on February 16, features Mostafa Minawi’s Arab-Ottoman Imperialists of Istanbul, which draws on archival research and his book 'Losing Istanbul' (2022) to reconsider nationalism through the lives of Arab imperial elites navigating loyalty and belonging at the empire’s end.On April 1, Gizem Tongo’s painting 'Like a Man' centres on the painter Mihri, examining women artists’ challenges to Orientalism and institutional hierarchies.The season concludes on April 14 with a screening of Philippe Aractingi’s Héritages (2014), followed by a public conversation with the director, hosted by Alain Fouad George of the Lusail Institute. 

The highly anticipated opening round of WTT Champions Doha 2026, the first WTT Series event of the new season, got off to a blistering start at Lusail Sports Arena, with Kim Nayeong pulling off a miraculous comeback to progress to the round of 16 (7-11, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9). South Korea’s Kim was dominated in the early proceedings by Singaporean player Zeng Jian in the first match, but there was a feeling that the tie could go either way, as both players engaged in long rallies, and benefited from net hits and flicking the end of the table. Trailing 2-4 and two games down, Kim finally found her rhythm and fired off three consecutive points. As the tie progressed, the Korean’s backhand started to score more and more, and she was clearly setting it up as she tried everything to get back into the match. She took game point again by utilising that powerful backhand. Deep into the fourth game, the two showed no signs of slowing down, long rallies with pinging shots decorated a game where the two kept trading leads. Zeng saved game point once before Kim eventually recovered the overall score to 2-2. Kim snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to become the first player into the round of 16 in Doha. One of the biggest matches in the women’s draw saw 17-year-old Miwa Harimoto once again get one over on Korea’s Shin Yubin (11-8, 11-8, 11-8). The duo met three times on the WTT stage last year, with Harimoto winning all three of those encounters. Harimoto came out the aggressor in the early stages, hitting hard spinning balls at Shin to go 8-3 up within minutes. Styles make matches, and these two started game two by cannoning off shots and trying to move each other across the table. As was the case in the first game, the pair shared the points in the opening exchanges before Harimoto established a four-point lead, speaking volumes to the teenager’s ability to adjust to the game state. In the third and final game, Harimoto was in a league of her own. Her 3-0 lead forced Shin to call a time out, but that wasn’t much help, as Harimoto scored straight away and didn’t slow down as her lead stretched to 6-2. With nothing to lose, Shin threw everything after her Japanese opponent and managed to get within touching distance at 8-7, but was unable to stop a straight games defeat. Elsewhere, World No 10 Dang Qiu got a convincing 3-0 win over Oh Junsung (11-9, 11-8, 13-11). The women’s World No 10, Hina Hayata, could have also recorded a straight games victory, but saw Xiaoxin Yang save four game points. In the end, she got the job done in four (11-8, 15-17, 11-2, 12-10). 

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has relocated to its new headquarters at Lusail Boulevard, marking the official transition of all operations to the new premises. The relocation to Lusail is a key milestone in QFC’s long-term growth strategy, positioning the centre at the heart of a smart, sustainable, and rapidly emerging district. Spanning 6,200sq m, the new headquarters has been designed to enhance operational efficiency and client service delivery. The move brings the QFC closer to key financial and professional institutions, placing it within a more strategic business environment. Leveraging Lusail’s advanced infrastructure and connectivity, the new location further strengthens QFC’s ability to deliver exceptional service and elevate client engagement, while reinforcing its position as a leading platform for companies seeking to expand in Qatar and across the region. 

Lusail City welcomed 2026 with Qatar's largest fireworks display, drawing over 250,000 people to Lusail Boulevard for an unprecedented celebration.The festivities began at 6pm with laser shows reflecting the city's modern architecture, followed by live performances building to midnight.The highlight was a cutting-edge drone show featuring 1,000 "Pyrodrone" units launching 4,000 pyrotechnic shots from 46 locations, synchronised with 15,300 individual fireworks that painted the sky in a breathtaking display of innovation.Qatari Diar CEO Sheikh Hamad bin Talal al-Thani praised the event as proof of Lusail's emergence as "an integrated urban hub" for Qatar's major occasions. Visit Qatar CEO Eng. Abdulaziz Ali al-Mawlawi highlighted Lusail's new status as a tourism icon, stating the celebration aligns with strategies to position Qatar among leading global destinations.The massive turnout underscores Lusail's transformation into Qatar's premier venue for national celebrations, demonstrating the city's world-class infrastructure and capability to host international-standard events.  

Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) announced that the total number of passengers who used the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, from December 1 to 18, 2025 reached 4,924,919 passengers, with 4,712,758 passengers travelling by Metro and 212,161 passengers using the Tram, with a daily average of 273,606 passengers across the Metro and Tram networks.The metro and tram played a key role in facilitating the movement of fans and visitors to and from the stadiums of both tournaments, as well as various event zones and key destinations across the country. This was achieved through delivering world-class transportation services and ensuring a safe, reliable, and seamless travel experience throughout the period.The Arab Cup Qatar 2025 was hosted across six stadiums: Lusail Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Stadium 974. Five of these stadiums were located within a short walking distance of metro stations, while fans were able to access Al Bayt Stadium via dedicated shuttle bus services from Lusail QNB Metro Station.Meanwhile, the three final matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, the Americas Derby, the Challenge Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup Final, were all held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is directly connected to Al Riffa Mall of Qatar Station, on Dec. 10, 13, and 17, respectively.In terms of operational performance, a total of 48,422 train-trips were completed across the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the period from 1 to 18 December, comprising 41,843 metro trips and 6,579 tram trips.During the tournament, 34% of spectators used the metro to attend matches, while metro usage increased to 50% for the 5 stadiums directly connected to metro stations.On December 18, which coincided with Qatar National Day celebrations, the Arab Cup Final and third-place playoff match, the highest daily ridership of the tournament was recorded, reaching 357,287 passengers, with 347,987 travelling by metro and 9,300 by tram.DECC, Lusail QNB and Msheireb stations were the busiest across the entire metro network. Within the Lusail Tram network, Legtaifiya Station was the busiest.Qatar Rail played a prominent role in supporting the successful hosting of the Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, through the effective operation of its networks, which delivered a successful model for transporting fans and visitors throughout the tournament period. This was achieved through the dedicated efforts of its teams, advance planning, high operational readiness, as well as close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, with the aim of delivering a world-class travel experience.Throughout the Arab Cup period, Qatar Rail continued its efforts to strengthen the role and expertise of engineers and young national cadres across various sectors of the company, reinforcing their contribution to delivering a successful transport operations model through several operational locations.  

More than a million fans went through the turnstiles during the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, Jassim al-Jassim, CEO of the Local Organising Committee of the hugely popular tournament, has said.Just two days after Morocco beat Jordan 3-2 in extra time in front of 84,517 fans at the iconic Lusail Stadium, Qatar drew wholesome praise from regional leaders on 'organising a high level' tournament that was held from December 1 to 18."The tournament witnessed record breaking numbers in spectator attendance. More than 1.2mn fans attended the matches in the stadiums during the course of 32 scheduled games,” al-Jassim revealed."Qatar organising top level football events regularly reflects FIFA's confidence in Qatar as a reputable global sports host. We are proud to say we have become qualified to host global events thanks to the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup," al-Jassim said in his interview with Al Kass Sports Channel.In his post-tournament comments, al-Jassim revealed Qatar has pulled off a rare feat of staging a staggering 176 matches in just 78 days.The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al- Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on ‘organising a highly successful FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025’.Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud also sent a cable of congratulations to the Amir, on the country's success in organising the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.The Crown Prince said: "On the occasion of the State of Qatar's success in organising the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, I am pleased to express to Your Highness my sincerest congratulations and best wishes for further progress and success for your brotherly people and country."In a separate note Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman congratulated His Highness the Amir on the 'remarkable success achieved by the State of Qatar in organising the FIFA Arab Cup football tournament'. He added in his message: “I wish Qatar continued success in hosting major events and achieving all accomplishments and aspirations in all sectors."The congratulatory cables were also received from the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah.FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted how the tournament showcased top-level football while uniting the Arab world, as he praised Qatar’s hosting and reflected on the conclusion of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, saying:“My sincere thanks to Qatar, to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and to the Qatari people for once again uniting the Arab world through football on Qatar National Day. This competition is here to stay and will continue to grow as one of FIFA’s great tournaments.”Thanks largely to world-class stadiums — that were built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup — Qatar put together flawless football tournaments within just seven weeks. Doha first hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup from November 3 to 27 followed by the FIFA Arab Cup from Dec 1 to 18. In between, Qatar also hosted the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the GCC U-23 Football Tournament.

Fireworks illuminated the sky above Lusail Stadium on Thursday as celebrations followed the Arab Cup finals 2025, turning it into a centrepiece of national pride on Qatar National Day. 

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani crowned Morocco as the winners of FIFA Arab Cup 2025 here at the Lusail Stadium last night.**media[395421]**Morocco clinched the title with a 3-2 win over Jordan after extra time in the final witnessed by a record crowd.The closing ceremony was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Personal Representative of the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani.**media[395422]**Also present were His Excellency Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, Chairman of the Shura Council, and a number of Their Excellencies, the Sheikhs and ministers.**media[395424]**The closing ceremony was also attended by Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of Jordan, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, HE Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal al-Saud, Saudi minister of sports, and president of the Arab Football Federation, a number of senior officials from brotherly and friendly countries, heads of delegations, heads of Olympic committees and Arab and international federations, Their Excellencies, the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country, and a large audience.

Organisers announced the cancellation of Arab Cup events at Lusail Boulevard on Thursday due to current weather conditions, prioritising the safety of fans, participants and staff. Updates regarding rescheduled activities will be announced through official channels.