Sporting world

  AFC Associations Committee reinforces commitment to elevate MAs and RAs   The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s ambitions to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and good governance through closer collaboration with its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) was further reiterated at the 1 st  AFC Associations Committee meeting for the 2023 to 2027 term held virtually today. While the Committee, led by Chairperson Hachem Haidar, acknowledged the commendable progress made by the AFC’s MAs and RAs in the areas of governance and administration, members also lauded the pivotal role of the AFC’s tailor-made initiatives in uplifting the Asian game across all levels. The Committee noted the ever-strengthening spirit of partnership between the AFC and its members, which was emphasised by the 28 physical MAs’ and RAs’ Congresses attended by the AFC since September last year. Additionally, the AFC also attended a total of 27 MAs’ and RAs’ Congresses via video c

  QBF reviews preparations for Arab Clubs Basketball Championship   The forthcoming Arab Clubs Basketball Championship, which is the 35th edition of the tournament, will be organized by the Qatar Sports Club and is scheduled to take place in Doha from October 1 to October 12. The Organizing Committee, chaired by Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), convened a meeting to review the latest preparations for the tournament. The event will feature 18 teams divided into groups, with the Qatari basketball club representing the tournament organizer alongside Al Ahli Club. During the meeting, which was held in the meeting room of QBF, the committees responsible for marketing, transportation, media, tournament facilities, public relations, and ceremonies presented their latest progress reports and proposed plans for implementation. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Al Shuraim, Director of the Tournament, representatives of Qatar Club,

 Aspire Academy squash graduate Abdulla Al Tamimi targets Asian Games Gold Qatar Squash star and Aspire Academy Graduate Abdulla Al Tamimi says that he is targeting gold at September’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China as he prepares for the Paris Squash 2023 event that began on Sunday 27 August. The Asian games, which were postponed from last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, are due to start on 23 September, with the squash events starting three days later. As well as the Professional Squash Association (PSA) event in France Al Tamimi will also compete on home soil at the Q-Terminals Qatar Classic from 9 September. The events are the latest after his recovery from hip surgery in March that saw him miss the last few months of the squash season. “All the focus this year is on the Asian games at the end of September,” he said, after competing at a PSA tournament in Canada, which was his first in almost 6 months. “My summer training and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments

  Key principles of landmark  AFC  Women’s Champions League approved by  AFC  Women’s Football Committee   The  AFC  Women’s Football Committee underlined its determination to transform the Continent’s women’s club game at its first meeting today after it confirmed the entry principles, competition format and season calendar of the  AFC  Women’s Champions League, which will be introduced from the 2024-25 season. Chaired by Kanya Keomany, members of the Committee, who met in Sydney, Australia just hours before the Final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, were unanimous in praising FIFA, Football Australia, and New Zealand Football for staging a truly spectacular global showpiece. The Committee also hailed the performances of Asia’s teams, which once again showcased the world-class standards of the Continent’s traditional powerhouses as well as the commendable progress of newcomers Vietnam and Philippines. Turning their attention to the launch of the  AFC  Wo

  The Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) today celebrated the completion of its fifth edition of the Football Management Certificate (FMC) programme, which equips participants with the skills required to impact the game across all levels as future leaders. This edition saw 41 participants graduate from the game-changing initiative after going through a six-month curriculum that focuses on core areas of management and uses bespoke modules to share knowledge and strengthen individual capabilities to undertake daily management operations. To date, 180 individuals from  AFC  Member Associations (MAs), Regional Associations (RAs) and independent stakeholders have graduated since the first edition of the programme in October 2021. Distinguished students have since embarked on careers in the  AFC , while others have made great strides within their respective MAs, RAs and the global football ecosystem. Crucially, every participant has come away from the programme with the know-how that will

  The Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) and the  AFC  Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Local Organising Committee (LOC) today confirmed that the opening match and eagerly anticipated Final of the upcoming edition of Asia’s crown jewel are set to be played at one of the largest match venues ever in tournament history.   The iconic Lusail Stadium, which most recently staged the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final, will rise to the fore again by hosting the first match between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon in Group A on Friday, 12 January, 2024. The kick-off will now be at 7pm local time.   The  AFC  Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will return to the Lusail Stadium when it culminates in the Final on Saturday, 10 February, 2024 at 6pm.   With a capacity of 88,000, the Lusail Stadium will be one of the largest match venues in  AFC  Asian Cup™ history behind Tehran’s Aryamehr Stadium, which seated 100,000 spectators during the 1976 final between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kuwait, and the 88,083-capa

  The ever-growing affinity between the passionate fans of Asian football and the Asian Football Confederation ( AFC )’s brand and competitions were the key focus at the 1 st   AFC  Marketing Committee meeting held virtually on Thursday. Led by Chairperson Dasho Ugen Tsechup, the Committee recognised the positive findings of the Audience Research Data, which was conducted by Turnstile between December 2021 and May 2022. This was aimed at assessing the health of football and the  AFC ’s assets following a similar research initiative undertaken in 2018 and 2019. The survey polled more than 10,000 respondents, aged between 16 to 64, across 10 major markets in Asia, namely Australia, China PR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. The Committee noted that the total number of Football Fanatics, who are defined as the most important consumers of the sporting ecosystem representing approximately 80% of the revenues for all major

  AFC  Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces  AFC  Women’s Champions League   The Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) Executive Committee today heralded a new era for Asian club football by unveiling the names of the three  new club competitions  alongside significant increases in funding for the 76 Participating Teams, as well as announcing the introduction of the  AFC  Women’s Champions League. The three groundbreaking initiatives, which are aimed at propelling Asian football to new heights and fostering greater growth and inclusivity, will take effect from the 2024-2025 season. Chairing the 2 nd   AFC  Executive Committee meeting, which was held virtually, the  AFC  President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa reinforced the Confederation’s commitment to establish a more commercially viable club landscape for its Member Associations (MAs) whilst strengthening the sense of affinity with Asia’s passionate fans. The t

  AFC  Professional Football Task Force to strengthen long term development of Asian clubs   The Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) Professional Football Task Force outlined its ambitions towards establishing a sustainable blueprint aimed at elevating the professional standards of Asian club football at its first meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.  Led by Chairperson and former Korea Republic captain Park Ji-sung, the Task Force further emphasised the Confederation’s resolve, as underlined in its Vision and Mission, to ensure the continuous success of Asian teams on the world stage. In light of the revamped three-tiered club competitions system which will take effect from the 2024/25 season, the Task Force reviewed the amendments suggested to the 2023 edition of the  AFC  Club Licensing Regulations.  The Task Force was also briefed on the organisational structure of the Professional Football Department which has undergone significant enhancement in order to facilitate the introduc

  MANILA (Philippines) - The XXII FIBA Congress has elected a new President and members of the Central Board for the upcoming 2023-2027 cycle in Manila today. Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, who succeeds Hamane Niang, in becoming the new President of FIBA, was elected unanimously by all in attendance. Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani has been FIBA Vice President for the previous cycle, which began in 2019, and President of FIBA Asia since 2002, having formerly been President of the Qatar Basketball Federation and a Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani said upon his election: "It is a great honor to take over this responsibility: for me, for my country of Qatar, and for our continent of Asia. I now represent the interests of all 212 National Federations across all five Regions. "Basketball is a global sport and this is our most important strength. I can only make one promise today and that is that I will work hard with the leaders of FIBA and the entire Ce

  HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani's Al Doha secures UAE President Cup (Gr1 P/A)   Taking on six runners, of which four were colts, the four-year-old purebred Arabian filly Al Doha (FR) (Al Mourtajez x Topaze Du Croate ) secured the biggest success of her career to date when landing the Gr.1 (PA) UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby - at Doncaster on Saturday, 19 th August, evening.   Carrying the colours of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and under the care of trainer Thomas Fourcy, the talented filly put in a career best effort to land the 2,000m contest for 4YO purebred Arabians under a masterful ride from Olivier Peslier.   A debut winner at Mont de Marsan, France, Al Doha followed up with a runner-up finish in a Gr2 and a Gr2 victory at Toulouse, France, on her third and fourth career starts in April and May this year. She, then, headed to Chantilly, France, where she finished second in a Gr1 in June. Al Doha went on to capitalise on her second pla

  It is the first time the two teams have played at Twickenham Stadium since 2015 Qatar Airways resumes flights to Auckland, New Zealand on 1 September 2023 Doha, Qatar - One of rugby’s greatest rivalries, between South Africa and New Zealand, will be reignited at Twickenham Stadium later this month with the two nations playing for a brand-new trophy, the Qatar Airways Cup on Friday, 25 August at 7.30pm. With Qatar Airways as Title Sponsor of this fixture, rugby fans from South Africa, New Zealand, the UK and around the world have the perfect means to attend this compelling match-up. The seven-time winner of the “World’s Best Airline” as voted by Skytrax, will take centre stage as the match Naming Rights Partner, and also be the broadcast partner for the Sky Sports coverage in the UK. Qatar Airways facilitates the movement of rugby fans all over the world to watch their favourite teams compete. The airline flies to more than 160 destinations, including Cape Town, Durban and Johannesbur

  Qatar Airways Renews Partnership with Al Sadd Sports Club as Official Jersey Partner in a Multi-Year Year Partner ship   The award-winning airline teamed up with Qatar’s most successful football club since 2018     DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is delighted to announce the extension of its enduring partnership with Al Sadd Sports Club, the most successful football team in Qatar's history, as the primary jersey partner in a multi-year deal. This renewal reaffirms the shared commitment of both organizations to the advancement of sports and excellence in football. The partnership between Qatar Airways and Al Sadd Sports Club commenced in 2018, and over the years, it has demonstrated its strong foundation, further strengthening the bonds between the two entities. Through this association, Qatar Airways continues to show its dedication to supporting Qatar's sports community and fostering a positive impact on local and global football.   Qatar Airways Group Chief Exec

  Qatar Airways, the Official Global Airline Partner of Formula 1® Unveils New Livery Ahead of FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 Qatar Airways revs up excitement with unveiling of new Formula 1® livery ahead of the FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023   Celebrate the unmatched motorsport experience with Qatar Airways Holidays’ Ultimate F1® Fan Packages which include access to the Geneva International Motor Show in Qatar DOHA, Qatar –  As the Official Global Airline Partner of Formula 1®, Qatar Airways is delighted to announce its title sponsorship of the highly anticipated FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 which will be held from 6-8 October at Lusail International Circuit. To rev up the excitement and reflect its commitment to motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, the airline is thrilled to unveil its new Formula 1® livery painted on a specially branded Boeing 777 aircraft.   Qatar Airways’ leisure arm, Qatar Airways Holidays, is offering enthusiasts a