tag

Mohammed Saeed Haidan clinched the top honours in the Diamond Tour during the fifth round of the ninth edition of the Longines Hathab Championship – Qatar Equestrian Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena. Haidan clocked 32.83 seconds astride Quick, while Saudi rider Khaled al-Eid finished second with a time of 34.34 seconds on Q Line. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi was third in 38.98 seconds on Edison.In the 120cm Bronze Tour, Jaber Rashid al-Ameri took first place in 44.74 seconds on Apollon. Khaled al-Hadi finished second in 46.02 seconds on Capion, while Hamad Nasser al-Qadi came third on Deep Water in 50.79 seconds. In the Bronze Tour team event, The Dome emerged victorious, followed by Ajwad and Al Adaid Al Shaqab.In the 90cm Future Riders competition, Sultan Jassim al-Suwaidi secured first place on Violet. Fahad Talal al-Nuaimi finished second on Croat, and Mohammed al-Mutairi came third astride Baccarat.In Dressage, Hamad Nasser al-Marri won the preliminary test title with 68.333 points, while Hajar Khan claimed the Level 2 preliminary title with 70.000 points. Mohammed Faisal Al Marri topped the Junior Level 2 preliminary test with 68.621 points, and Michelle Grimes took first place in the Level 1 dressage round with 74.817 points.

In front of a large crowd that filled the stands of Qatar Racing Club’s (QRC) dedicated drift arena, the opening round of the 2025–2026 Qatar Drift Championship (QDC) concluded with the participation of an elite group of drivers from across the Gulf region and beyond. The event is being held under the patronage of QRC Chairman HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani.The competition, which spanned two full days, began with the qualifying sessions on the first day. At the end of the qualifying sessions, driver Ahmed al-Amri topped the standings with a total of 90.33 points, ahead of Salem al-Sarraf, who secured second place with 86.67 points. Defending champion Ali Makhseed settled for third, just four points behind al-Sarraf.According to the results of the qualifying sessions, the drivers were placed into the tandem battle bracket, which took place on Friday and featured fierce matchups full of surprises.On the left side of the bracket, Ahmed al-Amri, the top qualifier, advanced to the second round after defeating his rival Saud al-Attiyah, who had finished last season as runner-up in the National category. Meanwhile, Ahmed Abu Rshaid prevailed over Mesiar Abu Sheibah in an exciting battle. Abdullah al-Muhtasib also advanced after defeating Mubarak al-Dosari, while Mazen Nasser moved on automatically following the withdrawal of Khaled al-Shafie, who was forced to retire due to an accident during Friday’s pre-event tests.On the opposite side of the bracket, Salem al-Sarraf, second in qualifying, overcame Mohammed al-Jaber, while Yasser al-Shatir advanced after defeating Mohammed al-Azmi. The third battle on this side saw Riyadh al-Mabsali beat Bkhait al-Hajri to secure his place in the next round. The final matchup of the first round produced a major upset when Mohammed Khorshid, who had qualified sixth, eliminated defending champion Ali Makhseed, earning the last spot in the quarterfinals.In the second-round, both al-Amri and al-Muhtasib advanced to the first semifinal, with al-Amri defeating Abu Rshaid and al-Muhtasib prevailing over Mazen Nasser. On the other side, Salem al-Sarraf moved into the second semifinal after beating Yasser Al-Shatir, while Riyadh al-Mabsali claimed the final semifinal slot after winning against Mohammed Khorshid.Based on the final results, al-Muhtasib was crowned champion of the National category, with Yasser al-Shatir finishing second, and Ahmed Abu Rshaid taking third place on the podium.The two semifinal battles were breathtaking, showcasing exceptional skill and intensity that kept the crowd on edge. The first semifinal brought together Ahmed al-Amri, the top qualifier and champion of the season before last, with Abdullah al-Muhtasib, who had qualified fourth and was newly crowned winner of the National category in this round. In this duel, al-Amri asserted his dominance to become the first driver to reach the final showdown, where he would face Riyadh al-Mabsali, who earned his spot by defeating Salem al-Sarraf, last season’s overall runner-up, in the second semifinal.Al-Sarraf went on to claim third place after overcoming al-Muhtasib in the third-place battle.All eyes then turned to the grand final between al-Amri and al-Mabsali, where both drivers delivered flawless and highly technical runs that captivated the crowd. However, victory ultimately went to al-Amri.QRC General Manager Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid crowned the podium winners.

The MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup 2025 organised by Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) concluded an exciting day two at the Lusail Karting Circuit. The championship welcomed 173 drivers from 18 nations and featured races in different age groups, bringing together a diverse set of talent from the Middle East and North Africa. Spectators enjoyed free access to six karting categories and the vibrant Fan Zone, which offered numerous engaging activities between races. Day two of the championship featured a qualifying session followed by three Heats. These qualifying sessions began with the Micro Max category (8 - 11 years) followed by Mini Max (10 - 13 years), Junior Max (12 - 15 years), Senior Max (14+ years) and finally DD2 (15+ years), DD2 Masters (31+ years), R390 Sprint (ages 15+) and R390 Endurance (ages 15+). Following the qualifying sessions, drivers competed in three Heat sessions. These sessions allowed them to familiarize themselves with the track and formulate their strategies for the upcoming final races. The final classification for the races for each category are as follows: Micro Max: Isaac El Haouti from Morocco secured P1 with a time of 53.627 seconds, followed by Alex Moghabghab (Lebanon) with a time of 53.872 seconds, and Ayden Ouaich (Morocco) in P3 with a time of 54.028 seconds during the qualifying session. In Heat 1, Isaac El Haouti (Morocco) led the grid again, clocking 8 minutes 01.385 seconds, followed by Alex Moghabghab (Lebanon) with 8 minutes 02.987 seconds, and Abdulaziz Al Sarraf (Kuwait) with 8 minutes 03.039 seconds. In Heat 2, Isaac El Haouti (Morocco) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 01.386 seconds, followed by Abdulaziz Al Sarraf (Kuwait) with 8 minutes 05.180 seconds, and Ayden Ouaich (Morocco) with 8 minutes 05.300 seconds. In Heat 3, Alex Moghabghab (Lebanon) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 0.971 seconds, followed by Isaac El Haouti (Morocco) with 8 minutes 4.417 seconds, and Abdulaziz Al Sarraf (Kuwait) with 8 minutes 4.823 seconds. Mini Max: Atiqa Mir from UAE secured P1 with a time of 50.868 seconds, followed by Nahyl El Gahoudi (Morocco) with a time of 51.222 seconds, and Tammem Mustafa (KSA) in P3 with a time of 51.510 seconds during the qualifying session. In Heat 1, Atiqa Mir (UAE) led the grid again, clocking 8 minutes 30.232 seconds, followed by Nahyl El Gahoudi (Morocco) with 8 minutes 34.329 seconds, and Tammem Mustafa (KSA) with 8 minutes 37.698 seconds. In Heat 2, Atiqa Mir (UAE) once again led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 28.798 seconds, followed by Nahyl El Gahoudi (Morocco) with 8 minutes 31.196 seconds, and Tony Abou Jawdeh (Lebanon) with 8 minutes 31.536 seconds. In Heat 3, Atiqa Mir (UAE) continued her dominance by leading the grid, clocking 8 minutes 29.752 seconds, followed by Nahyl El Gahoudi (Morocco) with 8 minutes 32.100 seconds, and Tony Abou Jawdeh (Lebanon) with 8 minutes 32.705 seconds. Junior Max: Roslan Sryer from Algeria secured P1 with a time of 48.255 seconds, followed by Faris Haroun (UAE) with a time of 48.344 seconds, and Nathan Kappen (UAE) in P3 with a time of 48.363 seconds during the qualifying session. In Heat 1, Nathan Kappen (UAE) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 58.183 seconds, followed by Roslan Sryer (Algeria) with 8 minutes 59.418 seconds, and Faris Haroun (UAE) with 8 minutes 59.906 seconds. In Heat 2, Roslan Sryer (Algeria) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 56.037 seconds, followed by Faris Haroun (UAE) with 8 minutes 57.269 seconds, and Riyad Yousfi (Morocco) with 8 minutes 58.084 seconds. In Heat 3, Nathan Kappen (India) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 55.909 seconds, followed by Roslan Sryer (Algeria) with 8 minutes 57.308 seconds, and Faris Haroun (UAE) with 8 minutes 59.192 seconds. Senior Max: Anis Tazi from Morocco secured P1 with a time of 48.039 seconds, followed by Sanad Al Hamawi (Jordan) with a time of 48.185 seconds, and Laith Mouminah (KSA) in P3 with a time of 48.190 seconds during the qualifying session. In Heat 1, Anis Tazi (Morocco) led the grid again, clocking 8 minutes 58.550 seconds, followed by Laith Mouminah (KSA) with 8 minutes 58.673 seconds, and Sanad Al Hamawi (Jordan) with 8 minutes 59.114 seconds. In Heat 2, Anis Tazi (Morocco) led the grid yet again, clocking 8 minutes 57.727 seconds, followed by Oscar Lambert (UAE) with 8 minutes 59.222 seconds, and Sanad Al Hamawi (Jordan) with 9 minutes 01.679 seconds. In Heat 3, Laith Mouminah (KSA) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 59.160 seconds, followed by Anis Tazi (Morocco) with 8 minutes 59.327 seconds, and Tameem Hassiba (Qatar) with 8 minutes 59.689 seconds. DD2 and DD2 Masters: Edwin Khneisser from Lebanon secured P1 with a time of 47.703 seconds, followed by Taha Hassiba (Qatar) with a time of 47.706 seconds, and Faesal Yafei (Qatar) in P3 with a time of 47.738 seconds during the qualifying session. In Heat 1, Edwin Khneisser (Lebanon) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 54.245 seconds, followed by Ghali El Fechtali (Morocco) with 8 minutes 54.870 seconds, and Faesal Yafei (Qatar) with 8 minutes 55.657 seconds. In Heat 2, Edwin Khneisser (Lebanon) led the grid a third time, clocking 8 minutes 54.568 seconds, followed by Taha Hassiba (Qatar) with 8 minutes 56.513 seconds, and Ghali El Fechtali (Morocco) with 8 minutes 56.663 seconds. In Heat 3, Taha Hassiba (Qatar) led the grid, clocking 8 minutes 54.108 seconds, followed by Faesal Yafei (Qatar) with 8 minutes 54.568 seconds, and Souhil Khatal (Algeria) with 8 minutes 56.307 seconds. R390 Elite (Endurance Race): UAE Team 1 secured first place with a time of 2 hours 31.779 seconds, followed by Morocco Team 2 with a time of 2 hours 25.321 seconds, and Oman Team 2 in third place with a time of 2 hours 45.422 seconds.

Amid high expectations for an exceptional season filled with events and activities, the Qatar Racing Club’s (QRC) 2025-2026 sports season officially kicks off Thursday, with the first round of the Qatar Drift Championship (QDC).The highly-anticipated QRC activities take place under the patronage of its chairman HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani.The club's newly approved event calendar for the upcoming season features five major championships, covering various motorsport disciplines such as drift, drag race, sand drag race, and freestyle stunt shows, in addition to over 25 testing days spread across the next seven months. The calendar also includes roll race events and dedicated motocross racing days.QRC General Manager HE Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid al-Thani affirmed that the club has completed most of the preparations for the new season.“We were keen to approve the sports calendar for the 2025/2026 season early on to give racers enough time to prepare for the competitions. We are looking forward to an exceptional season by all standards—marked by a diverse range of championships, fierce competition, and strong audience engagement. This aligns with the vision of our club chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, who always strives to steer motorsports in Qatar in the right direction—technically, organisationally, and athletically,” he said.“Based on this principle, the new season's calendar has received special and exceptional attention, aiming to propel the club forward, advance motorsports, diversify our events, and attract the largest number of competitors. Our goal is to build an informed and educated community, and establish a strong youth base capable of steering Qatar toward more sporting achievements.”“Our ongoing preparations are focused on ensuring what we consider the most important factor: a safe environment, equipped with all necessary safety measures for both participants and spectators. The club consistently welcomes Gulf, Arab, and international teams.Speaking about the sports and community events the club is organising this season, Sheikh Jabor stated: "Qatar Racing Club is well known as the home of drag racing in the Middle East. As in previous years, we will be organising two separate drag racing championships.”“The first is an international-level event—the Arabian Drag Racing League—featuring top racers from around the world. This season, it will consist of six rounds, starting on January 8–9, 2026, and continuing until the final round in mid-February. The second is the Qatar Drag Racing Championship, made up of five rounds, and attracting the best drag racers from across the Middle East. The opening round is scheduled for the second half of November, with the final round taking place in early March 2026."He continued: "As for the Qatar Drift Championship, which kicks off tomorrow, it has consistently drawn participants from Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, and even some European competitors. This year’s edition will feature five rounds—three in 2025 and the final two in March and April 2026. We are also organizing the Sand Drag Racing Competition, held at the Sealine Sand Track.”Fans of freestyle drifting can look forward to a four-round championship, similar to last season.In addition to this, the club will also host Roll Racing events, Motocross test days, and various other motorsport activities."Leading these community events is the Qatar Custom Show, which we will host for the 13th time this season, scheduled for January 13–17, 2026.In addition, we’re keen to host gatherings of car owners, motorcycle clubs, and other community-centered events throughout the season," Sheikh Jabor said.

The Qatar National Golf Team has added a new chapter to its record of success, with Daniil Sokolov claiming victory at the Egypt Open Golf Championship, a tournament sanctioned by the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and part of the Arab Golf Federation Series. The championship concluded last Saturday in Cairo.Displaying exceptional form and composure, Sokolov dominated the three-round event, finishing nine-under par (-9) to secure the title ahead of a strong field of top Arab and international golfers. His steady performance and mental resilience throughout the competition earned him a thoroughly deserved triumph and the winner’s trophy.Qatar’s Saleh al-Kaabi also delivered a commendable performance, finishing fourth at +1, reinforcing Qatar’s strong representation and contributing to the country’s continued lead in the Arab Golf Federation rankings.This achievement underscores the Qatar Golf Association’s unwavering commitment to nurturing elite athletes through comprehensive training programs that focus on technical precision, physical conditioning, and mental preparation — key factors in competing successfully on both regional and international stages.Sokolov’s victory was defined by sharp course strategy, precise shot-making, and remarkable consistency in navigating challenging fairways and greens. Meanwhile, al-Kaabi’s poise and experience under competitive pressure further demonstrated Qatar’s depth of golfing talent.With this impressive result, Qatar continues to solidify its standing as a powerhouse in Arab golf, driven by the visionary leadership of the Qatar Golf Association and its dedication to developing homegrown players capable of excelling at the highest levels of the sport.

Abdulla al-Qubaisi and Mashel al-Naimi securedvictories in Round 3 of the 2025 Qatar Super Stock (QSTK) 600 Championship atLusail International Circuit.In Race 1, al-Qubaisi powered his Yamaha R6 tovictory in the 8-lap, 43.4km contest with a time of 16:33.447. Al-Naimifinished just 0.730 seconds behind, while Russia’s Dmitry Sedin secured thirdplace, 27.714 seconds adrift. Sedin also topped the QSTK Trophy category on his Kawasaki ZX-6.Despite finishing second, Al-Naimi set the fastest lap of therace in 2:03.112, reaching a top speed of 158.5 km/h. Race 2 saw al-Naimistriking back, winning the 10-lap race in 20:47.699. Al-Qubaisi followed 5.234seconds behind, with India’s Geoffrey Emmanuel completing the podium, 21.085seconds back.Sedin topped the QSTK Trophy in Race 2, with Hungary’s MartonBelleli finishing second and Russia’s Yuri Nekrasov taking third. Earlier,France’s Nolann Macary was unstoppable in Round 3 of the Qatar Super Sports(QSSP) 300, winning both races in style. In Race 1, Macary rode his Kawasaki300 to victory in 18:38.025, ahead of Egypt’s Mahmoud Elbanna in second andMalaysia’s Zaidatul Zairin in third.Macary repeated his success in Race 2,again beating Elbanna, while Andrea Giacchero of Italy claimed third place. Round4 of the championship, organized by the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federationand Lusail International Circuit, will take place on January 30-31, 2026.

The inaugural edition of the Qatar Rapid Team Chess Championship 2025 will kick off Thursday at the Qatar Chess Training Centre, with 24 teams in action over two days.Organised by the Qatar Chess Association (QCA), the tournament is open to all FIDE-rated players and will follow the Swiss system format over seven rounds, with each game timed at 10 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move. The first three rounds are scheduled for Thursday, while the final rounds will take place Friday.A total prize pool of QR21,000 will be awarded to top-performing teams.The championship features a mixed-gender team format, requiring each team to field four players – three men on the open boards and one woman on a designated board. Notably, only titled players (FM, IM, GM) are allowed to play on Board 1, although female players holding these titles may also compete on either Board 1 or the women’s board.Ahead of the launch, the organising committee concluded preparations. A technical meeting with team representatives and the referee panel was held to review tournament regulations. The referees’ briefing was led by Dr Yousef al-Muhasna, Head of the Referees Committee, along with International Arbiters Sara al-Mohannadi and Hussein al-Haddad.

Qatar’s golf stars, Daniel Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi, delivered remarkable performances at the Bahrain Open Golf Championship, which concluded on Saturday. The young talents continued their impressive form, with Daniel clinching second place and Al Kaabi securing third, marking yet another milestone achievement for Qatari golf.Despite being only 14 years old, Daniel displayed maturity beyond his years, showcasing confidence, precision, and composure throughout the tournament. He opened with an exceptional 65, followed by rounds of 70 and 76, finishing with a total of 211 strokes, five under par — an extraordinary result that earned him a well-deserved runner-up position.Meanwhile, Saleh Al Kaabi maintained a strong and consistent performance across his three rounds, carding 68, 72, and 72 for a total of 212 strokes, four under par, to claim third place overall. The championship title went to Malaysia’s Zubair Firdaus, who finished his rounds with a total of 209 strokes, edging Daniel by just two strokes after a tightly contested final day.This achievement reflects the Qatar Golf Association’s continuous efforts to develop and nurture local talent through advanced technical and training programs designed to prepare the next generation of golfers capable of competing at the highest regional and international levels. It also highlights the significant progress golf in Qatar has witnessed in recent years.Commenting on the team’s success, Fahad Nasser Al Naimi, Secretary General of the Qatar Golf Association and Head of the Qatari delegation, emphasized that the Bahrain Open is one of the region’s premier events, recognized by both the World and Arab Golf Rankings. He noted that these outstanding results are because of the QGA’s strategic plan to elevate players’ technical and mental capabilities through systematic development programs.Al Naimi added that Qatari golfers continue to lead the Arab rankings, thanks to structured planning, consistent effort, and unwavering institutional support. He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to providing a comprehensive training environment that empowers young talents to represent Qatar in the best possible way on both regional and global stages.

Qatar Motorsport Academy rider Jake Franklin was crowned the champion of the 2025 FIM MiniGP Qatar Championship, after concluding the five-round series with an impressive 213 points.Franklin’s consistent performance throughout the season, including five race wins, secured him the top spot ahead of Mohammed Adel al-Mutawa, who accumulated a total of 185 points. The final championship podium was completed by Anas Boukabache in third place, with Andrea Giaccherio and Tyler Netterberg rounding out the top five positions respectively.The championship title was decided in a thrilling finale during Round 5 at the Lusail track. In the second race of the day, Franklin clinched a decisive victory, finishing the 15-lap race with a time of 15:07.502 and also setting the fastest lap at 59.873 seconds. Al-Mutawa finished just 1.377 seconds behind him in second place, while Boukabache finished third. Earlier in Race 1, the roles were reversed as Al Mutawa took the win ahead of Franklin, with Tyler Netterberg securing third place, setting the stage for the dramatic final race showdown that ultimately saw Franklin emerge as the overall champion.

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) is once again set to bring the region’s karting scene into the spotlight as it will host the MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup 2025 at Lusail Karting Circuit from October 21–25, 2025. Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2023 and its return in 2024, this year’s championship promises to deliver an even bigger showcase of regional motorsport talent.The championship will feature more than 150 drivers from 18 nations across the Middle East and North Africa, with competitors representing countries including Qatar, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Iran, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Drivers will compete across six Rotax Max Challenge categories — Micro Max (ages 8–11), Mini Max (ages 10–13), Junior Max (ages 12–15), Senior Max (ages 14+), DD2 (ages 15+), and DD2 Masters (ages 31+) — alongside the R390 Sprint and R390 Endurance categories open to drivers aged 15 and above.The action-packed schedule will see administration and driver briefings open on 21 October, with practice sessions held across October 22 and 23, alongside a formal Welcome Ceremony and Gala Dinner. Racing will then take center stage from October 24–25, featuring qualifying sessions, heats, the R390 Endurance race, Pre-Finals, and Finals, culminating with the Championship Awards and MENA Nations Cup Presentation on the evening of October 25.Spectators are invited to enjoy all the high-octane action with free admission throughout the event. A dedicated shuttle service will operate between General Admission Parking and the karting track, while visitors can also experience a vibrant entertainment zone with racing simulators, a radio-controlled car circuit, PlayStation 5 gaming stations, and a 360-degree photo booth. For fans unable to attend in person, all races will be streamed live on QMMF’s official YouTube channel.Last year’s edition saw Lebanon claim the MENA Nations Cup title, with Morocco finishing second and the UAE securing third place, highlighting the depth of talent across the region. With the bar set high in 2024, this year’s championship is poised to deliver another thrilling weekend of racing and national pride.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram says his side can expect to have a target on their back when they begin a new cycle of the World Test Championship as defending champions.South Africa play a two-Test series in Pakistan, starting on Sunday, and two games in India in November as they bid to retain the trophy they won in June by beat Australia by five wickets at Lord’s.The World Test Championship is decided at the end of a two-year cycle, with the top two teams competing in a one-off five-day match.“I suppose you create a bit of a target on your back if you’ve won (the WTC), and if that’s the case, it’s fair. We want to chase a place in the final again and lift that trophy once again but realise each team will be coming for us,” said Markram, who stands in as skipper for Temba Bavuma who has been ruled out of the tour with a calf strain.“We, as a team, have to keep getting better and improving and playing well in all different types of conditions. It starts for us in Pakistan, and it’s a challenge the boys will be up for,” he told a press conference on Monday.South Africa have been practising on specially prepared spinning wickets at Pretoria’s High Performance Centre.“There were a couple of nets prepared where the spin is really exaggerated, and you’d rather err on that side, and maybe then it’s a bit easier when we get to Pakistan,” Markram said.“We’re expecting to face a lot of spin over there, and it’s also, naturally, a lot lower there from a seam point of view,” Markram said.“There’s a lot of skiddy, so it’s hard to try and emulate that here in South Africa, but we’ve been looking to put a lot of emphasis on finding a way to train for that.”The first Test against Pakistan is in Lahore and the second begins on October 20 in Rawalpindi.

Qatar is set to take on Saudi Arabia Monday in the third round of the West Asia Women's Volleyball Championship, hosted in Amman, Jordan. After opening the tournament with defeats to Jordan and Iraq, Qatar is determined to secure their first win and regain momentum in the competition. Following the Saudi Arabia match, Qatar will face Lebanon on Tuesday before closing out their campaign against Syria on Thursday. The championship provides a key testing ground for the Qatari squad as they aim to gauge their progress, sharpen their skills, and build stronger performances in regional contests.