Saudi Arabia to host 2024 West Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship

 Saudi Arabia to host 2024 West Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship – the Kingdom’s first-ever official 11-aside women’s football tournament

 

• Upcoming 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship hailed as “the next big step” for women’s football in Saudi Arabia
• Competition welcomes seven teams alongside host nation and runs from 19-29 February

 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 5 February 2024: Saudi Arabia will host the 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship this month – the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament ever held in the Kingdom.

 

A milestone moment for women’s football in Saudi Arabia, the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship will take place from 19-29 February in the coastal city of Jeddah with the upcoming eighth edition set to welcome eight teams.

The host nation will be joined by Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and two guests – Guam and Nepal. The tournament will begin in group stage format with two groups of four, followed by the semi-finals and final with matches played at the King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City stadiums.

The WAFF Women’s Championship is the latest international football tournament making its way to Jeddah, where the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup had recently been held. Jeddah also played host to the 2022 WAFF Futsal Championship where the national team rose to the occasion in front of its home fans and ended the tournament in second place with a silver medal.

This upcoming edition also marks the Saudi Arabia women’s national team’s first-ever appearance in the WAFF Women’s Championship, as well as the first competition under Lluis Cortes, the new head coach. Since his appointment in December, the team has kicked off a new era in impressive fashion under the former Barcelona treble-winning coach, recording successive 2-0 victories against Syria.

Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting the WAFF Women’s Championship. Looking ahead to what promises to be a brilliant tournament, we’re especially excited about the impact this will have in terms of inspiring women and young girls across the Kingdom while supporting women’s football development nationally and regionally.

“The individual and collective success of our domestic leagues, together with our success in hosting two editions of the SAFF Women’s Friendly Tournament and the 2022 WAFF Futsal Championship, shows that the foundations are in place for us to take the next big step in our journey. This means hosting an official 11-a-side competition. We’re excited to welcome members of the wider football ecosystem together for an incredible event – one that’s certain to showcase the full power of football as a force for good and a platform for turning dreams into reality.”

Commenting on the announcement, WAFF General Secretary Khalil Al Salem thanked SAFF for its continuous engagement and support for women’s football in the West Asia region, highlighting the two parties’ shared vision of nurturing women’s football and driving growth throughout the ecosystem. 

Al Salem added: “For WAFF, our mission has always been to promote football development by various means – including by organising championships across territories and paving the way for countries to compete and fans to become inspired. This announcement is the latest testament that our direction of travel is positive. With the WAFF Women’s Championship heading to Saudi Arabia, teams are competing in official competition in a new setting – with more opportunities to test themselves at the international level in front of audiences whose number one passion is football.

“There is no doubt that this tournament will witness high-level competition and exceptional organisation, building on the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's successful track record in hosting football tournaments at various levels.”

Women's football in Saudi Arabia is going through an exciting period of progress. The senior women’s national team’s first-ever match in 2022 and entry into the FIFA world rankings in 2023 were milestone moments for women’s football in the Kingdom, while the Women’s Premier and First Division Leagues have sparked greater interest and participation with matches broadcast nationwide and globally. 

Additionally, the number of female players, clubs, and referees is growing nationally. Since 2021, the number of professional female players in Saudi Arabia has increased by 195%, with the number of clubs up by 56% and women’s national teams up by 300%. The number of women’s football coaches has risen by 797%, coaching courses by 557%, and referees by 66%.

New grassroots initiatives and infrastructure projects are also building a promising future for women’s football in Saudi Arabia.

West and ASEAN Zone contenders to kick off #AFCCup Knockout Stage

 West and ASEAN Zone contenders to kick off #AFCCup Knockout Stage

The final edition of the iconic AFC Cup™ will resume with the Knockout Stage for the 2023/24 season on Monday, February 12.
 
Eleven teams remain in contention for the 19th AFC Cup™ crown and eight are set to continue their quest for glory across the West and ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals, while the remaining three will be in action during the Inter-Zonal Playoffs between March 6 to April 24, 2024.
 
Bahrain’s Al Riffa topped Group C to progress to this stage for the fifth time in six tournament appearances and the 14-time league champions will host Al Nahda of Oman in the first leg of their West Zone Semi-final at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Manama at 7pm.
 
Al Riffa, who have twice stumbled when left with one hurdle to the Final, first in the Semi-finals in 2010 on their competition debut to Al Qadsia of Kuwait and then in the West Zone Final last year to eventual champions Al Seeb Club of Oman, will hope to make the Final this time round.
 
It is a second Knockout Stage appearance in four participations for Group A winners Al Nahda, who qualified for the Group Stage via the Playoffs. They also reached the last four on their AFC Cup™ debut back in 2008 and the 2022/23 Omani League champions will hold the return leg on February 19 at the Sultan Qaboo Sports Complex in Muscat.
 
The second West Zone Semi-final sees 2019 champions Al Ahed FC welcome Iraqi outfit Al Kahrabaa SC to the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex – a neutral venue in Muscat, Oman – on February 13. The home side have reached their seventh Knockout Stage on their 11th tournament involvement, with this being their fourth Zonal Semi-final appearance since the current format was implemented in 2017.
 
The only Lebanese team to have lifted the AFC Cup™, the nine-time domestic league champions progressed as the best runners-up and will come up against debutants Al Kahrabaa. The Group B winners’ qualification to this edition marked the first time that clubs from Iraq have participated in the competition since 2018, when Air Force Club became the only club to win three titles in a row. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm, with the return leg to start at 7pm on February 20 at the Basra International Stadium.
 
The Semi-final winners will do battle in the West Zone Final across two legs on April 16 and 23 to earn the right to contest the coveted AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Final, which is set for May 5, 2024.
 
In the ASEAN Zone, four more clubs – including the debutant trio of Central Coast Mariners, Macarthur FC and Sabah FC – will play their single-leg Zonal Semi-finals on February 13.
 
The first Australian side to ever play in an AFC Cup™, 2022 Australia Cup winners Macarthur plundered a tournament-best of 23 goals enroute to topping Group F. They face Group H winners Sabah, who finished third in the 2023 Malaysia Super League, at 6pm at the Campbeltown Sports Stadium in Leumeah.
 
The second tie also takes place Down Under as the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford takes centre stage when the Mariners welcome Phnom Penh Crown FC, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm. The 2022/23 A-League Men runners-up finished first in Group G while their opponents qualified as the best runners-up, edging Terengganu FC of Malaysia on goal difference, to make history as the first ever Cambodian side to reach the AFC Cup™ Knockout Stage on their second tournament appearance.
 
The two Semi-final winners will face each other in the single-leg ASEAN Zone Final on February 22; the winner will join the winners of Groups D, E and I, namely Odisha FC of India, FK Abdysh-Ata of the Kyrgyz Republic and Taichung Futuro FC of Chinese Taipei to contest the two-legged home-and-away Inter-zonal Semi-finals. The pairings were determined during the Knockout Stage draw in December, as below:
 
Semi-final 1: FK Abdysh-Ata (KGZ) v Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)
Semi-final 2: ASEAN Zone champions v Odisha FC (IND)
 
Debutants Abdysh-Ata, the 2022 Kyrgyz Premier League champions and 2022 Cup winners, went unbeaten in the Group Stage – winning five of their six matches – to become the first ever side from their nation to reach the AFC Cup™ Knockout Stage. They host fellow debutants Taichung Futuro, similarly the first Chinese Taipei club to make it to this stage, in the first leg at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek on March 6, 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm. The return leg will take place in Taipei at 6pm on March 13.
 
Another team that is participating in the AFC Cup™ for the first time, 2023 Indian Super Cup champions Odisha are aiming to be the second club from India to reach the Final after Bengaluru FC finished runners-up in 2016. They will play the first leg away to the ASEAN Zone champion on March 7, 2024 before hosting the second leg on March 14 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
 
The winners of the Inter-zonal Semi-finals square off in the two-legged Inter-zonal Final on April 17 and 24, with the winning side to face the West Zone champion in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Final. The Final will be hosted by the West Zone champion.

Football Continues in Qatar: Match For Hope to Unite Stars for Charity

DOHA, Qatar, 01 February 2024: Qatar will host a historic charity football match later this month featuring some

of the world’s biggest content creators and football legends.

The inaugural Match for Hope will be held in Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, one of the Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums,

on Friday, 23 February. The match will see social media sensations Chunkz and AboFlah captain each side.

The two captains will lead teams made up of both famous content creators and World Cup legends for a

showdown match in the 45,000-capacity stadium which hosted seven matches during Qatar World Cup 2022, and

will host seven matches in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

Match for Hope will be played to raise money and awareness for Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global

non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives through education. All proceeds from the match will be

donated to EAA projects in Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania, Pakistan, Palestine, and Sudan.

The full line-up of players will be announced in the coming weeks by event organiser Q Life, a cultural platform

under the State of Qatar’s International Media Office (IMO). The event, organised in collaboration with Qatar

Football Association (QFA), will also feature live music performances, with artists to be announced shortly.

Match for Hope’s Official Partners are Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways.

For all the latest news and updates, follow Q Life on Instagram, and official Match for Hope channels on X and

TikTok.

Tickets go on sale through QFA ticketing website and can be purchased by visiting www.match4hope.com. Fans

can also donate to the cause by clicking the ‘Donate’ button on the Match For Hope website.

The match will be live streamed in Arabic and English for fans to tune in around the world.

Speaking about the match, team captain Chunkz said:

“I can’t wait to return to Qatar and captain a squad of good friends and football legends to raise money for

children’s education. We’ve partnered with Q Life and Education Above All to bring you Match for Hope and it’s

a privilege to help such an incredible cause and reach out-of-school children across the world.”

Speaking about the match, team captain AboFlah, 25, the MENA region’s most followed content creator, said:

“What a privilege to captain such an all-star squad here in Doha! As a youngster myself, participating in Match

For Hope means much more to me than just playing football. It’s about bringing together creators like me and

footballing legends from all over the world to raise funds for an important cause supporting children in need.”

The Match for Hope initiative aims to build on the legacy of the first World Cup held in the Middle East and Arab

world to promote peace and education through sports.

Both Match For Hope captains are well-known for their charitable efforts and support of meaningful causes.

Chunkz has been a star player in previous high-profile charity matches such as Soccer Aid and the Sidemen Charity

Match, while AboFlah recently raised millions of dollars in support of refugees.

# # #

2

About Match for Hope

Match For Hope builds on the legacy of the World Cup Qatar 2022, using the power of football to raise funds to

give disadvantaged people and communities hope for a better future. For the inaugural edition of the event,

world-famous creators and legendary ex-professional footballers will compete in an 11-a-side showdown in the

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar on 23 February 2024. All the proceeds from the event will go to Education Above

All (EAA) Foundation to raise awareness and support for the quality education of out-of-school children.

Website: www.match4hope.com

X: https://twitter.com/MatchForHope

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matchforhope

About Q Life

Q Life is a cultural platform under the State of Qatar’s International Media Office (IMO), dedicated to the

people and ideas that are spurring advances in sports, the arts, business and culture in Qatar. With human

development being at the centre of the Qatar National Vision 2030, Q Life continues to amplify the stories of

those in Qatar creating a positive impact within their communities, both at home and abroad.

From one-on-one interviews with Qatar’s most creative minds, to uncovering the many unknown stories hidden

around every corner, Q Life promises to educate global audiences on the ambitions flourishing across the country.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qlife_com/

Website: https://qlife.com/

About Education Above All

The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha

Moza bint Nasser. EAA aims to transform lives through education. EAA believes that education is the single most

effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every

child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through

their multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and

partnerships, EAA aims to bring hope and real opportunities to the lives of impoverished and marginalized boys

and girls.

EAA is comprised of: Educate A Child (EAC), Al Fakhoora (AF), Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Protect Education in

Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), Innovation Development (ID) and Together Project.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educationaboveall_eaa /

X: https://twitter.com/EAA_Foundation

Website: https://www.educationaboveall.org

Members of the AFC Reform Taskforce confirmed

 Members of the AFC Reform Taskforce confirmed 

 

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) further strengthened its commitment to upholding the highest standards of good governance with the appointment of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and members of the AFC Reform Taskforce for the 2023 to 2027 term.

AFC Vice President Mr. Hachem Haider has been appointed as the Chairperson of the AFC Reform Taskforce with ASEAN Football Federation President Maj. Gen. Khiev Sameth taking up the position of Deputy Chairperson.

The Confederation’s FIFA Council members Mr. Kohzo Tashima and Ms. Kanya Keomany as well as Dr. Ahmad Reza Barati, a CAS Arbitrator and Sports Lawyer from Islamic Republic of Iran complete the line-up of the Taskforce members.

On 21 December 2023, the AFC Executive Committee had approved the proposal to establish the AFC Reform Task Force at its third meeting held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Then, Shaikh Salman noted the progressive strides undertaken by the Confederation to conform to the highest ethical standards and modernise its governance structures in recent years, whilst underlining the importance for the AFC to remain at the forefront of implementing the best governance practices in the coming years.

Moving forward, the Task Force will ensure the continued alignment of the AFC Statutes, Regulations, and Codes with the anticipated changes from FIFA, while also exploring additional reforms to keep the Confederation relevant in changing times.

DAAM and Ministry of Sports & Youth Sign Agreement to Support HH The Amir Sword Festival 2024

 DAAM and Ministry of Sports & Youth Sign Agreement to Support

HH The Amir Sword Festival 2024

14 Feb 2024

Doha, Qatar – The Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) signed a financing agreement

with the Ministry of Sports & Youth to support the HH The Amir Sword Festival 2024 that is

organized by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and will be held from 15 to 17 February

2024.

This agreement reflects the pioneering role played by DAAM and the contributing firms that

are listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange in support of community development and sport

activities in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

In addition to this cooperation between Daam and the Ministry of Sprots & Youth to support

the HH The Amir Sword Festival, the agreement aims to develop this sport that is embedded

in the Qatari heritage.

The three-day Festival features several top group races for both Purebred Arabian and

Thoroughbred horses, topped by the HH The Amir Sword and the HH The Amir Trophy

along with the Qatar International Cup, the Dukhan Sprint, the Al Rayyan Mile, the HH The

Amir Shalfa and the HH The Amir Silver Sword.

Sinc its inception in 2010, Daam has laid the foundation stone for many vital projects and

initiatives in the social, sport and cultural fields. The contributions of companies listed on the

Qatar Stock Exchange are considered among the Fund’s most important financial resources,

making them an essential partner in achieving sustainable community development.

QREC at best HH The Amir Sword Festival begins tomorrow

 QREC at best

HH The Amir Sword Festival begins tomorrow

Doha – 14 February 2024

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) looks at best just before the HH The Amir Sword

Festival, which will start tomorrow, Thursday and continues until Saturday. The QREC management,

chaired by HE Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, has completed all arrangements and ensured the

Al-Rayyan Racecourse is fully ready for the start of the races. Twenty-six races will be run throughout

the three days of the Festival, with eight races on day one, ten on day two and eight on the card of

the third and final day. involved runners, both international and Qatar-trained, have been there in

full swing at the training grounds as per the time schedules assigned to them respectively.

Twenty-four hours before the start of the Festival, the general appearance inside QREC looks at best

and enthralling. QREC management ensures everything is well-prepared before the start of the

prestigious event, which is the pinnacle of horse racing in Qatar and the region. In addition, the new

identity of the Festival will add extra momentum, which will have a positive impact on the general

image of the most prestigious equestrian festival. It comes as part of the continuous development of

Qatar’s premier racing event, especially with the rise in the prizes money to USD 10 million since last

season.

With the declarations announced on Monday, horse connections are adding the final touches to their

runners. Thrill will be at peak with international raiders travelling all the way from France, UK,

Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, UAE and Oman to face the tough Qatar-trained challengers.

==================================================

HH The Amir Sword and Trophy draw today

The draw of the HH The Amir Sword and the HH The Amir Trophy races will be held this evening at

the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Clubhouse. All eyes will be drawn to the draw as these

are the feature races of the HH The Amir Sword Festival and each offers USD 2.5 million as prize

money, which makes the HH The Amir Sword the most valuable Group one race for purebred

Arabians in the world. Each of the two mega races will be run over 2400m and have a field of 11

runners.

HH The Amir Sword Race

All eyes will be on Al Shaqab Racing’s AL GHADEER, who bids to land the golden Sword and be

crowned with the Doha Triple Crown, having already won the first and the second stages of the

crown at Goodwood (Qatar International Stakes) and at ParisLongchamp (Qatar Arabian World Cup).

Wathan Racing’s ABBES, the title holder, will also take centre stage in the prestigious event as he

seeks to retain the Sword glory for the second straight year following his impressive victory in last

year’s renewal. BIN AL TAIR will be another representative of Wathan Racing as well. The other

challengers are HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani's Al Doha, HE Sheikha Iman bint

Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani's HAREEB, HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa

Al-Thani's DIVINE PRINCESS, HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani's AA

FEEL THE BURN, Al Shaqab Racing's MEZOWN and AL TAMMTAM, Abdullah bin Fahad A H Al

Attiyah's CH'EZZA and Sultan Ali Al Senaidi's DJALNOR.

Day One – Thursday, 15 February: Sand Championships Day:

 The day features the races for the leading horses, based in Qatar, which

perform well on the sand track.

 There are four categories of horses: Thoroughbreds, Purebred Arabians, Local

Bred Thoroughbreds and Local Bred Arabians.

 There are two races for each category and one race for each category is for the best

horses while the other is for young horses or horses which have not won yet.

 Every race is worth $100,000 which is three times as much as any other race on the

sand.

Horse to watch on Day One

Nibras Racing Syndicate’s NUVOLARI won last year’s renewal of the Thoroughbred Sand

Championship. He won handsomely by five and a half lengths and has been specially

prepared for this race this year.

Day Two – Friday, 16 February: Al Rayyan Breeders Cup Day

• These are races for the leading horses, based in Qatar, which prefer the grass track.

• There are 10 races including races for the best female horses in each category

(Thoroughbreds, Purebred Arabians, Local Bred Thoroughbreds and Local Bred

Arabians)

• The highlight of the day is the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup, worth $400,000, for Local

Bred Thoroughbreds

• The other major event is the Al Zubarah Trophy, worth $200,000, for Local Bred

Purebred Arabians

Horse to watch on Day Two

- Wathnan Racing’s EQUINOXE in the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup for Local Bred

Thoroughbreds: He was the champion local bred thoroughbreds and won this race

last season.

- Khalifa bin Sheail Al-Kuwari’s LAYEQ in the Al Zubarah Trophy for Local Bred Purebred

Arabians: He was third in the same race last year and is an improving young horse

who won the Qatar National Derby in December.

Day Three – Saturday 17 February: HH The Amir Sword and Trophy Day:

 There are eight races for international thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians,

including top international race horses ridden by famous jockeys in each race.

 There are five races for thoroughbreds over all the most important racing distances:

sprint (1200m), one mile (1600m), 2000m, and the classic distance of 2400m for the

biggest race of all, the HH The Amir Trophy.

 There are three races for Purebred Arabians, including two races at Group 1 level, the

pinnacle of Purebred Arabian racing worldwide.

Horses to watch on Day Three:

- Godolphin’s MISCHIEF MAGIC in the 1200m Dukhan Sprint, won an

international Group 1 race on the biggest day in the USA racing calendar in

2022, and also won his latest start in Dubai impressively. He is still a young horse at

only 4 years old and is really exciting to watch because he gets to the front very late

with tremendous acceleration.

- Shadai Race Horse Co. Ltd’s ZEFFIRO in the 2400m HH The Amir Trophy: He is a crack

Japanese horse who is tremendously consistent and never out of the first four, even

at the very highest level. He was second by a length in a major international Group 1

race in Hong Kong on his last start in December.

- Wathnan Racing’s SIMCA MILLEis the big local hope for Qatar in the HH The Amir

Trophy. He won a Group 1 race in Germany six months ago, then ran creditably in

Europe’s biggest thoroughbred race, the Qatar Arc De Triomphe, in October. He won

his preparatory race here two weeks ago.

- Al Shaqab Racing’s AL GHADEER is the best Purebred Arabian in the world and looks

almost unbeatable in the HH The Amir Sword. The only possible things that might

stop him are the 2400m distance, which he tries for the first time. He bids to land the

golden Sword and be crowned with the Doha Triple Crown, having already won the

first and the second stages of the crown at Goodwood (Qatar International Stakes)

and at ParisLongchamp (Qatar Arabian World Cup) and become the first winner of

the Triple Crown since Ebraz won the legendary title in 2020.

- Wathnan Racing’s ABBES who won the HH The Amir Sword in impressive style last

year and comes into the race having won the biggest race in Abu Dhabi, the Al

Nahyan Jewel Crown.

Unprecedented international participation in HH The Amir Sword Festival

 24 hours prior to kick-off

Issa bin Mohammd Al-Mohannadi:

Unprecedented international participation in HH The Amir Sword

Festival

One of the most important horse race meetings worldwide

QREC’s facilities highly commended by the Japanese

Applying highest standards in organisation, integrity, quarantine and track condition

Festival’s new identity consolidates Qatar’s legacy

We value the role of sponsors and success partners

Al Sabiq Championship is the origin of racing

Committed to developing and expanding jockey base

Doha – 14 February 2024

We are only 24 hours away from the start of the HH The Amir Sword Festival at the Qatar Racing and

Equestrian Club (QREC). All final arrangements have been completed to ensure reaching the highest

success and continuing the continuous development of the Festival, especially with the launch of the

new identity for the prestigious event. The three-day Festival will be the focus of attention with the

participation of many international horses as Qatar’s premier racing event has become on par with

the world’s top horse racing meetings.

The QREC management seeks to produce a special renewal of the Festival in line with Qatar’s leading

standing in the international racing community.

Just before the kick off of the Festival, HE Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, said:

“We look forward to the HH The Amir Sword Festival as the pinnacle of the QREC racing calendar,

placing Qatar in the spotlight on the global sports scene. As the HH The Amir Sword Festival begins,

the QREC management looks forward to a world-class organisation on par with the world's most

prestigious racing meetings staged at the top tracks worldwide. In fact, we apply standards, which

give us confidence in the success of the Festival, especially with many top-quality international

runners arriving for the Festival’s international races. For the first time, this renewal sees three

horses from Japan alongside challengers from other countries, some of whom have already

contested in Doha and even won in previous years. Such intensive international presence is a

demonstration that the Festival has become a source of attraction for international horse owners

and trainers and reflects the high confidence in Qatar’s horse racing and its standard in terms of

organisation and quality. Qatari horse owners add further heft to the global event, being able and

well-prepared to win the tough challenges throughout the races of the three-day Festival.”

Source of attraction for international runners

Regarding the rise in the number of international runners, Al-Mohannadi said: “It is a result of the

continuous development of the Festival and the application of the highest technical standards in

organisation, quarantine and various facilities in addition to racing integrity and the perfect condition

of the Al Rayyan Racecourse. These factors attract international horse connections to come to Qatar

for the HH The Amir Sword Festival. Moreover, the high quality of the runners reflects the high racing

standard and the desire to win the Festival’s titles. Two weeks ago, a delegation from the Japanese

animal resources authorities visited Qatar to see the facilities and learn about the way work is done

at QREC and how to horse welfare is maintained and the appropriate environment and facilities are

made available. The delegation highly commended what they saw and that is why we see three

Japanese horses in the edition, which happens for the first time in the Festival’s history. We

should also keep in mind that the horses coming from various counties Japan, UK, France,

Ireland and Hong Kong are here because of the standing of the HH The Amir Sword Festival,

which has become one of the most important horse racing meetings in the world.”

New identity reflects heritage

“This year, QREC has been keen to launch the new identity of the Festival,” Al-Mohannadi added, “It

has been inspired by the Qatari heritage through “al ghutra” (male headwear), which reflects and

consolidates the heritage and legacy of the State of Qatar, which we are proud of. In addition, the

new identity highlights a symbolic meaning through its association with the “Al Sabiq” traditional

championship held during major race meetings at QREC. We view the Al Sabiq Championship as the

origin of horse racing in Qatar, during which riders wear “al ghutra,” and the moment a rider raises

his ghutra implies that he is fully prepared to start. Al Sabiq Championship is, in fact, considered a

starting point for some talented riders, who then turn to become professional flat racing jockeys. A

number of Al Sabiq riders have already been selected and they are now regular jockeys in the flat

races at QREC. It has been a very valuable benefit for QREC as part of the QREC board of directors’

efforts to expand the base of Qatari jockeys and to develop and prepare them to ride at the world’s

top racecourses.”

Strategic relations with sponsors

HE Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, lauded the role of the sponsors. He said:

“While aspiring to the highest level of success in the Festival every year, we value the role of

sponsors and partners given our strategic relationships based on cooperation for the continuous

development of the Festival and maintaining its high international prestige. In fact, the sponsors and

success partners continue their valuable role and contribute to achieving what we aspire to and

QREC, in turn, fulfils its commitments towards them. The strategic relations between us is long-

standing serves to maintain long-term cooperation.”

“The Festival may see a breakthrough success with Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Al Ghadeer

bidding to win the HH The Amir Sword race (Gr1 PA) and, consequently, the Triple Crown,

having already won the first two stages in 2023, the Gr1 PA Qatar International Stakes at

Goodwood the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp. In addition, all other

races of the Festival promise to be highly enthralling and thrilling, with horses in top form

and owners, trainers and jockeys keen to be part of the trophy presentation ceremony and

write their names in the Festival’s history books”, concluded Al-Mohannadi.

2024 Longines Global Champions Tour calendar revealed!

 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour calendar revealed!

Ready. Set. Go.

Global Champions has announced the calendar for the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL team series today. The 2024 season promises to be a heart-pounding journey across three continents, with 16 iconic destinations featuring the return of fan favourites like Shanghai and a spectacular new destination in Abu Dhabi.

The electrifying 2024 LGCT season will kick off from 29 February with the season opener taking place in Doha. An adrenaline-filled year follows, with the Championship Race full steam ahead to the Finale blasting off on 20 November with the GC Playoffs in Riyadh.

Heading to Miami Beach (03-06 April) and Mexico City (11-14 April) before the tour returns to Shanghai for the first time in four years at a brand new stadium of Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Center. Located at the Expo Park in the Pudong New Area, the centre is China's first permanent professional equestrian competition venue.

When returning from China the European tour kicks off in Madrid from 17-19 May. Covering 14 countries, fans will be able to enjoy an array of destinations from the vibrant streets of Paris to the historic charm of Rome, the global circuit is set to captivate a worldwide audience for the 18th LGCT season. Prepare for an international journey like no other as Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL promise to be even more breathtaking with world-class venues meticulously chosen for their unique and iconic capital cities, as well as spectacular Riviera destinations.

2024 Calendar:

29 February-02 March: DOHA, Qatar

03-06 April: MIAMI BEACH, USA

11-14 April: MEXICO CITY, Mexico

03-05 May: SHANGHAI, China

17-19 May: MADRID, Spain

30 May-1 June: RAMATUELLE, ST. TROPEZ, France

06-08 June: CANNES, France

21-23 June: PARIS, France

28-30 June: STOCKHOLM, Sweden

04-06 July: MONACO, Monaco

18-21 July: RIESENBECK, Germany

16-18 August: LONDON, United Kingdom

23-25 August: VALKENSWAARD, Netherlands

30 August-1 September: ROME, Italy

24-26 October: ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Finals)

20-23 November: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Playoffs)

LGCT Founder and President Jan Tops said: “We are delighted to announce our calendar for 2024 featuring some of the world’s greatest cities and iconic destinations. We are proud to be able to bring back the much-loved Shanghai event in a brand new purpose-built stadium. It is going to be another busy and exciting season of top sport as we continue to push boundaries and be ambitious to continue to develop our circuit at a rapid pace.”

Title Partner and Official Timekeeper Longines will once again have a strong presence throughout the 2024 season continuing the long-term partnership. Longines will be presenting elegant timepieces to recognize the great performances of every Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix and Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix winner.

High-stakes competition and heart-pounding action await for riders and teams as they compete for the ultimate Championship titles. The 2024 season is set to push the boundaries, creating unforgettable moments, so whether you're a seasoned equestrian enthusiast or new to the sport, mark these dates on your calendar and prepare for a year of unrivaled excitement.