tag

The piercing pop-pop of pickleball paddles starts before sunrise and ends after midnight at dozens of newly built courts across Hanoi, as residents relish one of Vietnam's fastest-growing sports -- or rage at the noise it makes.The initial craze saw more people in Vietnam pick up a paddle per capita than anywhere else in Asia, according to one survey.Now unwitting spectators are yelling fault, filing noise complaints and petitions to curb playing hours that have left authorities in a pickle.In the country's densely packed cities, courts are wedged between tight alleyways and nestled beneath high-rises, disturbing thousands of people at once."It drives me nuts," said Hoa Nguyen, 44, who lives with her family behind a multicourt complex in Hanoi's northeastern outskirts."People are playing in the middle of the night and there's nothing we can do about it," Nguyen said, adding that she had filed a complaint with local authorities."The noise makes it impossible for me to sleep. It just keeps going pop-pop-pop."Most noise complaints on the capital's iHanoi app stem from pickleball, according to state media, which has dubbed the sport an "acoustic hazard".Associated noise-related issues range from unruly crowds to honking horns in overcrowded parking lots.Lam Thanh, 50, who manages a dormitory for workers near one of Ho Chi Minh City's estimated 1,000 courts, says the cacophony is proving to be costly."Many tenants couldn't stand the noise and have moved elsewhere," she said."There's the popping sound of paddles, cheering, shouting and joking around -- it's all extremely exhausting for us."Vietnam's pickleball boom began around two years ago, players and coaches say, well after its popularity surged in the US and Canada.But the country is now the sport's second-fastest-growing market in Asia after Malaysia, according to pickleball rating company DUPR.Regional professional circuit PPA Tour Asia says more than 16mn people in Vietnam have picked up a paddle, though that figure is extrapolated from a survey of around 1,000 respondents.Hanoi's Long Bien district, its pickleball centre, has more than 100 courts, up from 54 in less than a year, according to state media.Pickleholic Club, Victory Pickleball and Pro Pickleball Vn are all within a five-minute walk, with dozens more a short drive away.Coach Pham Duc Trung, 37, said the sport's accessibility was key to its popularity."The paddle is light and the ball is light... Children can play it, and so can adults," he said."The sound of the ball hitting the paddle is quite appealing," he added.Not everyone agrees.Around the world, the plinks and pops of pickleball have spawned outrage, provoking protests and even lawsuits.But Vietnam's widespread embrace of the sport, and its cities' rapid growth in recent decades as the economy boomed, help explain the intense frustration.Ho Chi Minh City already ranks among the loudest cities in Asia, according to the United Nations, with noise pollution levels high enough to damage hearing.And experts say pickleball sounds are louder and higher-pitched than tennis or badminton.A nationwide noise ordinance is supposed to limit the din, especially late at night, but residents say the courtside clatter often goes unmuted.Hanoi high school student Duong, 16, cannot focus on his homework."The sound made by this ball is very unpleasant," he said. "My mind feels blank because I cannot concentrate."Vietnam's sports ministry did not reply to request for comment.But pressure is building to smash the problem, with state media carrying health warnings from doctors."The constant bouncing of the pickleball is not only annoying but also subtly triggers stress, disrupts sleep, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease," according to state-run VTC News website.Ball strikes register "like the ticking of a clock against the temples", it said this month, adding many people are "haunted by the sound of popping". 

Katara Cultural Village hosted a regional forum examining how sports tourism and media can be leveraged as strategic drivers of economic growth, cultural identity and Arab soft power, amid growing regional focus on the role of sport as a development and diplomacy tool.Organised in co-operation with the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism and the Gulf Association for Tourism Media, the forum brought together officials, experts and media professionals from Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. Discussions centred on developing a sustainable Arab framework linking sports, tourism, the economy and media, with emphasis on hospitality and cultural identity, training and capacity building, and specialised sports and tourism media. A number of figures and participants were honoured during the event.In the opening address of the General Cultural Village Foundation, delivered by Director of the Research and Studies Department at Katara Dr Nadia al-Mudhahka, it was said that the forum reflects Katara’s vision that culture is not an isolated sector but a dynamic force that brings together sports, media and tourism to shape national identity and global perception. She said Qatar has presented a pioneering model by employing sports as a bridge for civilisational communication and highlighting Arab culture as a source of strength and influence.Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of Retaj Hotels and Hospitality Group Sheikh Nayef bin Eid al-Thani said the forum reflects the depth of vision and partnerships of the current phase at a time when sports, tourism and media have become central tools in building countries’ global image and strengthening cultural identity at regional and international levels. He stressed that Qatar recognises investment in sports, culture and media as an investment in people, identity and soft power, and has therefore developed an integrated system combining professional organisation, cultural openness and pride in Arab identity.Executive Director of Communications and Media at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Fatma al-Nuaimi said the forum comes at an important moment as the Arab region witnesses a genuine transformation in the sports industry. She noted that sports are emerging as an integrated system encompassing economic development, cultural depth, human impact and stronger ties among Arab peoples. She highlighted the global nature of the Qatari model and the state’s approach to transforming sporting events into tools for sustainable development, and football tournaments into global platforms for tourism attraction and bridge-building among different peoples and cultures.Chairman of the Executive Office of the Forum of Specialised Arab Federations at the League of Arab States Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Jarwan highlighted Qatar’s pioneering and continuous support for Arab and international sports, reflecting an enlightened vision of the role of sport in bringing peoples closer together, promoting development and strengthening positive Arab presence internationally. He said Qatar has presented an advanced Arab and international model by employing sports as a bridge for communication and an effective tool to support tourism and stimulate the economy, adding that the Qatari experience combines organisation, professionalism, advanced infrastructure and a smart global vision, making sports a unifying civilisational platform.President of the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism Kamel Abu Ali praised Qatar’s global professional standards in organising major sporting events and reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to supporting high-quality initiatives that enhance Arab identity and belonging.Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism Dr Sultan bin Khamis al-Yahyai also commended Qatar’s pioneering experience in organising major events and its notable successes over the years, achieved through clear vision, advanced infrastructure and strong organisational expertise, which have positioned the country as a global model. He added that Qatar’s hosting of the forum reflects informed Arab awareness of the importance of sports tourism as a modern pathway for development and as a bridge linking culture, sports and tourism within an integrated institutional framework. 

Alfardan Sports Motors, the official Ferrari importer in Qatar, has been recognised with the world’s “Top Showroom Award 2024”, a landmark achievement that celebrates a historic first for Qatar and marks the very first time a Ferrari showroom in the Middle East region has received this global distinction.The prestigious accolade is a testament to Alfardan Sports Motors’ ongoing efforts in delivering exceptional performance, including customer service, enhanced operations to meet global industry-leading standards and retail excellence.Located in the heart of the Pearl Island, Alfardan Sports Motors – Ferrari Qatar is a prime state-of-the-art showroom with a world-class service centre that has been serving Ferrari’s customers in the country since 1999.Throughout its 26-year-journey, it has delivered ownership experiences centred around a customer-first approach, helping build and elevate relationships while providing exceptional after-sales services.**media[394484]**Its showroom is part of an immersive environment that celebrates the Prancing Horse at every touchpoint.By creating luxury-driven experiences for customers, Alfardan Sports Motors consolidates its position as a trusted partner for automotive enthusiasts in the Qatari market, which continues to go from strength to strength and remains a key location in Ferrari’s global operations.“This recognition represents far more than an award; it is the realisation of a long-term vision rooted in the values of the Alfardan Corporation, building institutions defined by excellence, integrity, and enduring relationships,” said Alfardan Automotive president Omar Alfardan. “From the outset, our ambition was to establish a world-class Ferrari presence in Qatar, guided by a deep respect for the brand and a principled commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients.”“To see this vision recognised on a global stage, for the first time in Qatar and the Middle East, is both a moment of great pride and a responsibility we carry forward as we continue to elevate standards and shape the future of luxury automotive experiences in the State of Qatar,” he said.“It is a privilege to receive the world’s Best Showroom Award 2024,” said Alfardan Sports Motors general manager Tarek al-Hammoud. “This is a distinguished accolade that would not have been possible without the remarkable efforts of our passionate and highly-trained team at Alfardan Sports Motors, who have been instrumental in our successes.”“More importantly, we also express our sincere gratitude to the Alfardan family, as their long-standing support and investment have enhanced the Ferrari brand in Qatar, helping attract new and regular customers,” he said. “Their dedication has opened new opportunities for individuals to experience the best of Ferrari, which continues to be an iconic brand thanks to its unmatched performance, exquisite designs and heritage and legacy.”“Alfardan Sports Motors continues to raise the bar when it comes to luxury customer experiences, and this award is a milestone achievement that celebrates the team’s hard work and commitment,” said Ferrari Middle East managing director Giorgio Turri. “Alfardan Sports Motors has not only delivered outstanding sales during 2024 but its team consistently go above and beyond to carefully look after customers and create meaningful connections that differentiate Ferrari.” 

Doha deciding to join the Olympic Games 2036 race wasn't an afterthought of any kind. For the last 30-odd years, the Qatari capital has carefully charted its journey using sports as a means to bring the entire Middle East region together. Not only that, Doha over the last three decades also built a purposeful narrative that sports spectacles like the FIFA World Cup, the Asian Games and World Championships can be successfully hosted and savoured by those investing heavily in the global sports industry.From hosting the then biggest edition of the Asian Games in December 2006 — welcoming more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 45-member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia — to staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup involving 32 teams, Qatar has proudly showcased its mighty sporting ambitions in front of billions of sports fans around the world.From opening the world's largest indoor sports facility — the Aspire Academy in 2005 — to constructing 8 state-of-the-art football stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar clearly has gone beyond the debate on what it wants to achieve through sports.Five years ago, Doha put together a hard-to-beat Asian Games bid for the 2030 edition. Now, the Qatari capital will welcome athletes for the 2030 Asian Games. This will be the second Asiad to be hosted in Doha. When Doha joined the 2030 Asian Games race, the Qatari capital’s bid file showed that it had 90% of the sports infrastructure ready in the country. That sealed the deal for Doha.Over the course of the last three decades, Doha has successfully hosted world championships in boxing, cycling, gymnastics, track and field, swimming, handball, table tennis, shooting, triathlon and football. In 2027, Qatar will host the FIBA World Cup. With Aspire Academy carefully picking and grooming young talent – that is nurtured by world-class coaches and trainers in various disciplines — Qatar is not only known for hosting events but developing athletes from a young age.With Qatar hosting round-the-year leagues in football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, handball, cricket, tennis, snooker and billiards, shooting, cycling, horse racing and showjumping, and many other sports, Doha continues to wave the lag of optimism and carry on the Olympic Movement with absolute conviction that sports have to be a way of life for those living in the country, region and around the world.Whenever Qatar has hosted top-flight championships, it has also attracted sports fans who use the hub of global air travel — the Hamad International Airport — to come and visit the country. With Qatar adding more than 35,000 hotel rooms for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alone, the tourism industry in the country has never been in a more buoyant mood than it is enjoying right now. With Qatar currently hosting the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 — just days after it hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup — Doha is abuzz with hundreds of thousands of regional and global visitors watching the matches live. Qatar welcomed more than a million fans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Sports fans don’t come to Qatar to just enjoy watching the games live. The fan stay — from within the region or elsewhere — is something they cherish. Traveling within Qatar is a royal luxury enjoyed by commuters. Apart from enjoying their stay in great hotels and dining at fabulous restaurants, visitors and residents use the state-of-the-art Metro system to significantly cut commute times and travel hours across the country.With youth turning to healthy lifestyles and following their favourite players on the pitch ever so much, Qatar has played a torch-bearer’s role in pushing its sports agenda for every country in the region and the rest of the Asian continent. Even in the broadcasting sector, Qatar’s beIN Sports Network is watched — with multiple language options — by millions of homes around the world, thanks largely to its spectacular sports coverage throughout the year, 24 x7.Doha’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games delivers on every promise made by the Qatari leadership. With unmatched sporting infrastructure in the country, to A-grade travel logistics, to organisational skills learned from hosting world cups and championships, Doha is ahead of the game.Sports builds bridges and promotes a healthy lifestyle, and Qatar is leading the show on this front. Yet, the athlete and fan experience extends far beyond the pitch. Qatar’s cultural scene seamlessly blends deep-rooted heritage with modern innovation, anchored by landmarks like the Museum of Islamic Art and the vibrant Katara Cultural Village. By offering a world-class environment for both competition and cultural discovery, Doha 2036 promises an Olympic Games that will be remembered forever. 

The Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is preparing to host the 2025 Paralympic Day, an event aimed at empowering people with disabilities and offering them the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports activities that promote teamwork and positivity. The event, in collaboration with the Qatar Paralympic Federation for People with Disabilities and Qatar Stars League, will take place Wednesday at Aspire Dome’s Indoor Athletics Track from 9am-1pm, with the participation of around 250 participants from schools and centres across Qatar. Participants will engage in 15 sports activities designed to encourage interaction, build team spirit, and enjoy sports in an inclusive and safe environment. The activities include goalball for the visually impaired, table tennis for people with disabilities, obstacle course, javelin throw, tug-of-war, and parachute game. The event will also feature specialised sports activities for individuals with hearing and visual impairments, the deaf community, and those with physical disabilities. Through this initiative, the AZF reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting the values of inclusivity and equality in sports, and by empowering all members of the community to engage in sports activities within a safe and motivating environment that encourages positive participation and social integration, a statement added. 

There are stories shaped by opportunity, and then there are stories shaped by what happens when opportunity disappears. Dmitry Saksonov’s journey belongs to the second category — the kind where everything familiar falls away, and what remains is the quiet decision that determines the rest of a life. The evolution of Saksonov from a man restarting with borrowed equipment to the founder of a $250 million global sports-tech ecosystem is not simply a business arc. It is the transformation of perspective, purpose, and identity. It is the story of a founder who learned that the most powerful vision is often born in the moments when there is nothing left to protect except the belief that tomorrow can be rebuilt. A Restart Few Would Choose In 2020, when Saksonov returned to the world after years of disruption and uncertainty, he did not return to momentum. He returned to zero — no savings, no company, no infrastructure, no network waiting to welcome him back. What he did have was discipline. He began again in the simplest way one can begin: by working. Eighteen-hour days. Borrowed equipment. A rented room that became a workspace, office, and battlefield for rebuilding. There were no expectations. There was only the repetitive structure of effort. But there was something else — a shift in intention. He was no longer building to expand. He was building to understand what truly mattered. A Journey That Redirected Everything Two years later, in 2022, Saksonov’s path pointed him toward Brazil. He went there not for business, but out of curiosity. He wanted to understand why the country produced so many world-class athletes. What he discovered had little to do with training methods or academy structures, and everything to do with environment. In the favelas, talent lived everywhere, yet opportunity lived nowhere. Children with the instincts of future champions played barefoot on cracked asphalt. Teenagers with natural skill had no scouting pathways, no professional fields, and no real chance of being seen beyond their neighborhood. The contrast shook him. How could so much ability exist with so few avenues to develop it? A local leader asked him a question that stayed with him long after he left,“If talent can be born anywhere, why does opportunity reach so few?” Saksonov could not ignore this. And so he made a promise — he would return and build real football fields, so at least one barrier would disappear. The community did not believe him. Outsiders had made similar promises before. But he returned. And this time, the promise became concrete. Literally. Fields were built. Real ones. Marked. Structured. Professional. In that moment, something inside him shifted forever. He realized that the world wasn’t short of talent. It was short of systems capable of finding it. The Birth of a Vision Too Big to Ignore That experience became the origin point of Blockchain Sports — not as a product, but as a philosophy. Saksonov saw an industry where potential was lost simply because visibility was limited. He decided to build a system in which talent could be tracked with data, performance could be measured with accuracy, fans could support athletes directly and geography would not determine destiny. What began with a single field in Brazil soon scaled into global infrastructure two football academies equipped with IoT tracking, an AI engine capable of analyzing athlete performance, Atleta Network, a proprietary Layer-1 blockchain and an upcoming digital arena for fans, clubs, and players worldwide. Growing Through Turbulence By 2023, the company’s growth accelerated far beyond expectations. Expansion brought pressure, operational strain, and difficult decisions that forced the organization to refine itself. Saksonov did not run from these challenges. He addressed them directly, corrected the course, and strengthened the foundation. This honesty became a defining trait of the company, this transparency became its credibility and this accountability became its culture. A Vision That Now Belongs to Millions In 2024, Blockchain Sports presented its global ecosystem in front of 16,000 people at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena. For the world, it was a debut. For Saksonov, it was proof that a journey starting with zero capital can evolve into a vision capable of reshaping global sport. Today, Blockchain Sports is valued at $250 million and preparing to launch Blockchain Sports Arena, a digital ecosystem built for three billion fans and hundreds of thousands of clubs. A Reminder of What Evolution Really Means Saksonov’s evolution did not start with opportunity. It started with nothing. And from nothing, he built a vision that continues to grow — not because of capital, but because of clarity. From zero to a quarter billion, the journey was never about money. It was about creating a world where talent is seen, opportunity is shared, and potential is no longer lost in the places the world forgets to look. 

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), paid an inspection visit to the Athletics Training Center Project at Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence.The project, which is being implemented through an integrated partnership between Aspire Academy, the Qatar Athletics Federation and Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital – aims to develop Qatari athletics and elevate it to new levels.During the visit, Sheikh Joaan toured the project's administrative building and reviewed the ongoing work and coordination between the three entities in training, medical preparation, and administrative support. The collaboration is designed to enhance athletes’ performance and support their aspirations for a successful season.He also met with members of the national athletics team, reviewed their training programs, and encouraged them to give their best and prepare thoroughly for upcoming competitions. His Excellency reaffirmed the Qatar Olympic Committee’s commitment to providing the best development environment for athletes.Accompanying the QOC President on the visit were high jump legend Mutaz Barshim, Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy; Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani, Director of the QOC Sports Sector, Mohammed Issa al-Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation; as well as several members of the federation’s board of directors. 

Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, in collaboration with Al Sadd Sports Club and with the support of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, held the “Peace Tournament”, a community football event dedicated to children, youth, and Gaza families hosted by the State of Qatar and residing in Al Thumama Complex. The tournament took place on Thursday, 20 November 2025, at 8:00 PM at Al Sadd Sports Club fields.The initiative formed part of the community partnership between Education Above All Foundation and Al Sadd SC, and aligned with EAA’s efforts to enhance the psychosocial well-being of children and youth and to support crisis-affected communities through sports activities that strengthened social cohesion, built bonds of solidarity, and reinforced positive community values.The one-day tournament brought together children, youth, and adults from Gaza across three age groups, following an approach that ensured fair and inclusive participation for all.Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, CEO of Al Sadd Football Club Company: "Al Sadd Club participation in organizing the Peace Tournament, in collaboration with Education Above All Foundation and with the support of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, stems from our social responsibility and our national role in supporting initiatives that strengthen human and community cohesion. We believe that sport, and football in particular, has a unique ability to bring people together, restore hope, and create moments of joy, especially for children and youth who have endured difficult experiences. At Al Sadd Club, we were keen to provide all the necessary resources to ensure the success of this tournament, which we are proud to present as a message of solidarity from Qatar to our brothers and sisters from Gaza who are guests of the country. We will continue to support initiatives that harness the power of sport to serve humanity and promote the values of unity and generosity."On this occasion, Ms. AlAnood Al-Attiyah, Director of the Al Fakhoora Programme at Education Above All Foundation, stated: “At Education Above All, we believe in the transformative power of sport to build confidence, strengthen resilience, and restore hope, especially for communities facing profound humanitarian challenges. This tournament was not merely a sporting activity; it was a safe space that offered children and youth an outlet for expression and an opportunity to build positive relationships that enhanced community cohesion. We were pleased to collaborate with Al Sadd SC and the Ministry of Social Development and Family through initiatives that embody the values of giving, solidarity, and supporting children and youth wherever they may be.”Education Above All Foundation continued its efforts in Qatar and around the world to create safe, inclusive, and supportive educational and social environments for children and youth. Through collaborative partnerships with national, sports, and community institutions, EAA worked to provide equal opportunities for all and contributed to improving the quality of life in the most vulnerable communities.For more information about EAA Foundation, visit www.educationaboveall.orgFor media inquiries, please contact:Mohamed Al-AmriSenior Media Relations [email protected]+974-5000-9960Patience RusareSenior Media [email protected]+974-5993-1560

The Ministry of Sports and Youth team were crowned as champions of the 2025 Ministries and Government Entities Futsal Championship, after defeating the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs' team 3-1. The championship, organised by the Qatar Sports For All Federation (QSFA) at the Lusail Sports Hall, saw the Ministry of Municipality team claim 3rd place after beating the General Authority of Customs team 2-0. **media[381242]** President of QSFA Abdulrahman bin Musallam al-Dosari expressed his happiness with the event's success and the sportsmanship it featured. He noted that the championship has become one of the most important annual events, widely welcomed by employees of government bodies, due to its excellent blend of athletic competition, social interaction, and positive engagement. The QSFA president congratulated the Ministry of Sports and Youth team on their well-deserved victory and emphasised QSFA's commitment to promoting corporate sports and encouraging employees to engage in physical activity as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. **media[381243]** QSFA Executive Director Abdullah al-Dosari said the championship saw wide participation over the course of a month, featuring 10 teams representing various ministries, authorities, and government entities. Al-Dosari said that the event showcased intense competition and exciting matches, praising the enthusiastic crowd and the strong turnout from different ministries and entities. Through this championship and other initiatives under its corporate sports programme, QSFA aims to reinforce sports as an essential part of workplace culture and to support futsal enthusiasts across government institutions. **media[381244]** Executive Director of QSFA stated the Ministries and Entities Championship has become more than just a futsal competition; rather, it is a message promoting teamwork and improving work environment through sports and physical activity, in line with the Ministry of Sports and Youth's goals and strategies.

3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) has opened “Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street”, a major touring exhibition from London’s Design Museum, making its Middle East debut in Doha until March 7, 2026.Unveiled by Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the exhibition traces the design and cultural evolution of sneakers – shoes that began as athletic gear and grew into a global phenomenon shaping sport, style, and identity.Featuring more than 200 pairs of sneakers displayed alongside photographs, films, and archival materials, the exhibition offers an immersive journey through sneaker history.Highlights include rare and limited-edition designs as well as an exclusive presentation of Virgil Abloh’s celebrated sneaker creations.“’Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street’ reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring the intersection of sport, design, and culture,” said QOSM president Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulla al-Thani. “This exhibition celebrates how innovation and creativity have transformed something as everyday as a shoe into a global cultural phenomenon.”“By hosting this show in Doha, we continue to engage diverse audiences, inspire the next generation, and highlight the universal power of sport as a unifying force that transcends borders and disciplines,” he said.The exhibition explores sneaker culture through two key lenses: style and performance.The exhibition highlights how innovation and design have revolutionised athletic footwear, transforming the way athletes train and compete.It also delves into the cultural impact of sneakers, revealing how they have become enduring symbols of identity, creativity, and self-expression across generations and communities.“Over the past 50 years, sneakers have evolved from a sports shoe to the most prominent form of footwear in the world with well over a billion pairs sold last year alone,” said Design Museum chief executive and director Tim Marlow. “This exhibition explores a global design phenomenon that has fascinated everyone from sneakerheads to world class athletes, a complex and captivating mixture of technical innovation, high performance problem solving and street-style sub-cultures.”“Sneakers Unboxed” in Doha is part of the legacy of the Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture, a wide-ranging celebration of shared cultural ties between Qatar and the UK.The exhibition is presented as part of "Evolution Nation", an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar.Curated by Qatar Creates, the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation’s cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future.

The Ministry of Sports and Youth, in co-operation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), has launched “The Art of Debate and Argument Building” training programme for GCC youth. The programme will run until Oct 24 in Doha.Held in partnership with the Qatar Foundation’s QatarDebate Center, the programme, aims to develop the skills of GCC youth in the art of debate, enhance their critical thinking and logical analysis capabilities, and to encourage constructive dialogue and persuasion skills.The programme also seeks to empower participants with the foundations and skills of debate, develop public speaking and discussion management skills, and promote shared values ​​and cultural understanding among GCC youth.The QatarDebate Center provides training to youth participating in the programme through certified trainers.The programme features specialised training workshops and practical experiences through mini-debate simulations, in addition to cultural activities and field visits to prominent landmarks in Qatar, with the aim of enhancing communication and building professional networks among participating Gulf youth.It targets youth from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, aged 18 to 29, with a total of 36 young men and women participating, five participants from each country, in addition to 11 participants from the host country, Qatar.In this context, Director of the Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Fawaz Abdullah al-Musaifari said in a remarks that the Ministry of Sports and Youth places great importance on supporting joint Gulf youth work, believing in the importance of strengthening cohesion and integration among youth from the GCC countries, and continuously striving to provide a supportive environment to empower Gulf youth and to enhance their capabilities.He explained that this programme represents a practical model of this approach, as it is keen to provide participants with the knowledge and skills that qualify them for leadership and effective contribution to their communities, thus enhancing the position of Gulf youth in the comprehensive development process.Regarding QatarDebate’s participation in the programme, Turki al-Suwaidi, programme specialist at QatarDebate, expressed pride in partnering with the Ministry of Sports and Youth to implement this programme, which aims to empower Gulf youth with the tools of constructive dialogue and the art of persuasion. He noted that QatarDebate believes in the importance of equipping youth with skills that enhance critical thinking and effective communication, and is committed, through this collaboration, to transferring debate training expertise and experience to a new generation of ambitious youth in the GCC countries. Programme Director, Nasser Mohammed al-Jabri emphasised the team’s full readiness to ensure the success of this programme, as all necessary preparations have been made to ensure a rich and distinguished training experience for all participants.Organising this programme reflects the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s commitment to promoting a culture of constructive dialogue and mutual understanding among the youth of the region, and to offering quality programmes that align with global best practices in building the capacity of youth and empowering them to become future leaders in their communities.

The Organising Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, in collaboration with the Qatar School Sports Association, announced Sunday the launch of the inaugural Basketball Mini World Cup, to be held in Doha across two seasons (2025–2026 and 2026–2027). This pioneering initiative marks the first of its kind in the Middle East. The announcement came during a press conference Sunday, attended by Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani, Director of Sports Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar School Sports Association; Mohamed Saad al-Mughaseeb, Director General of the Organising Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and President of the Qatar Basketball Federation; Saadon Sabah al-Kuwari, Executive Director of the Sports Department at the Organising Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027; and Abdulrahman al-Muftah, Executive Director of the School Olympic Program; alongside senior officials and representatives from the Organising Committee, the Qatar School Sports Association, and local media. As part of the School Olympic Program, the tournament is being organised under the supervision of FIBA in partnership with the Qatar Basketball Federation. It will mirror the competitive format of the Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, offering a unique school-level simulation of one of the world’s premier sporting spectacles. In a remarkable prelude to the highly anticipated FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, the Mini Basketball World Cup will bring together 32 secondary schools from across Qatar competing under their official names in the first season from November 4, 2025, to April 2026, and under the names of the qualified national teams in the second season aligned with the 2026–2027 Olympic Program creating an inspiring simulation of the global tournament. The Mini World Cup aims to blend education and sport in a distinctive experience that brings students closer to one of the biggest international events ever staged in Qatar. It will offer young athletes a real taste of competition, while instilling values of teamwork, collaboration, and community service. A series of interactive activities will accompany the tournament, giving students and schools the chance to experience the journey of preparing for the World Cup, deepening their passion for basketball and appreciation of the sport’s cultural and educational legacy. Speaking on the occasion, Mohamed Saad al-Mughaiseeb stressed that the launch of the Basketball Mini World Cup represents a pioneering step: “For the first time in the Middle East, we are connecting our youth to one of the world’s greatest sporting events. This initiative offers them a unique opportunity that combines athletic challenge with meaningful educational experiences, nurturing their skills while instilling the values of excellence and teamwork.” Al-Mughaiseeb added that: “The ultimate goal of this tournament is to raise sporting awareness among students, link them to the legacy of basketball both in Qatar and internationally, and reinforce sport as a cultural, educational, and human value that inspires future generations.” For his part, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani said:” “Through this partnership, we aim for the tournament to leave a lasting legacy, encompassing state-of-the-art sports facilities, development programs for youth and juniors, and increased participation in sports across all segments of society, while ensuring the highest standards of organisation and providing an unforgettable experience for student-athletes.” Sheikh Khalifa emphasised: “We stand on the threshold of a global event eagerly awaited by millions. With the concerted efforts of our partners at both the international and local federations, and with your media support playing a pivotal role in conveying our message, we are confident that we will deliver a championship marked by exceptional sportsmanship and remarkable achievements.” The launch of the Basketball Mini World Cup underlines Qatar’s vision to enhance school sports, instil social and educational values through athletics, and nurture a generation capable of proudly representing the nation on the global stage.