Emirates News

Doha: May 18 – Al Sadd coach Wesam Rizk emphasized the significance of the team’s victory over Al Duhail in the Amir Cup semifinal.

Speaking after the match, Rizk said, “We succeeded in clinching the match in our favor, despite the first half ending in a goalless draw. The players delivered a better performance in the second half.” He added, “We congratulate everyone on the honor of reaching the final after the heroic performance from the players. The upcoming match is crucial, and our focus from tomorrow will be on the final.” The Al Sadd coach continued, “Matches between Al Sadd and Al Duhail are always thrilling and highly competitive, defying any predictions. Therefore, winning such matches serves as a significant motivation for the players to give their best in the final.” Rizk concluded his statement by saying, “One step remains before lifting the Amir Cup. I thank the Al Sadd fans for their support; they were the biggest supporters of the players, and we hope for more support from them in the final.”
Al Sadd’s Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah expressed his immense joy at his side’s qualification for the Amir Cup final, after their 1-0 victory over Al Duhail in the semifinal clash played on Saturday.

Bounedjah stated in his post-match remarks, “We succeeded in achieving victory and booking our ticket to the final of the 52nd edition of the Amir Cup. The team delivered a great performance against Al Duhail, and we managed to maintain our lead until the end of the match.” Speaking about the Amir Cup final, Bounedjah said: “I played in the final of the Amir Cup in my first season with Al Sadd, and now I will participate in the final in my last game for the club.” He added that he has a special relationship with the fans of Al Sadd since joining the team, stating that he will not give up on winning the title for them.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: May 18 – Ghanem Al Madheed won the title of the second round of the sixth edition of the Qatar Touring Car Championship. Held at the Lusail International Circuit, the two-day event saw the participation of 20 drivers.

Al Madheed claimed the title after winning the first and second race titles. In the first race, Al Madheed took first place with a time of 25 minutes 58.955 seconds, 12.651 seconds ahead of his closest competitor Abdullah Al Khulaifi, who finished second with a time of 26 minutes 11.606 seconds.

Mansour Al Hajri finished in third place after recording a time of 26 minutes 24.071 seconds, 25.116 seconds behind the lead, while Ahmed Al Asiri was in fourth place with a time of 26 minutes 31.296 seconds. Ali Al Emadi came in fifth place with a time of 26 minutes 37.112 seconds.

In the second race, Al Madheed managed to take first place after a time of 26 minutes 54.822 seconds, 0.396 seconds ahead of his closest competitor Mansour Al Hajri, who finished second with a time of 26 minutes 55.2
18 seconds.

Abdulaziz Al Sayed came in third place after a time of 27 minutes 09,068 seconds, while Imran Karama took fourth place with a time of 27 minutes 09.111 seconds, and Ibrahim Abdul Ghani was in fifth place with a time of 27 minutes 09.702 seconds.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The draw for the Qatar Handball Cup and the Amir Handball Cup for the current sports season 2023-2024 was held on Sunday.

The draw for the Qatar Cup, in which first four places teams in the general league participate, resulted in two matches between league champion Al Rayyan and Al Duhail, while Al Arabi will meet Al Ahli in the semi-final. The final is next Wednesday, with the final match between the winners being held on the twenty-sixth of May.

The draw for the Amir Cup also placed Al Gharafa with Al Shamal, and Qatar with Al Khor in the first stage (Qualification) on Wednesday.

In the second stage (Quarter Final) on Friday, Al Sadd will play against Al Rayyan and Al Duhail will face the winner of the Al Gharafa-Al Shamal match, while Al Arabi will take on the winner of the Qatar-Al Khor match and Al Ahly will meet Al Wakrah.

The two matches of the third stage (Semi Final) of the Amir Cup will be held on May 28 and the final match on May 30.

The draw ceremony was supervised by Hamad Al Nuaimi, m
ember of the board of directors of Qatar Handball Association, in the presence of club representatives.

Last season, Al Wakrah won the Qatar Cup title and Al Arabi won the Amir Cup title.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Qatar Esports Forum, organized by Media City Qatar in collaboration with the Qatar Esports Federation, commenced Sunday.

The forum featured panel discussions and workshops, attracting over 100 industry leaders and esports enthusiasts from 30 countries.

Discussions at the forum focused on exploring opportunities in the esports sector and fostering collaboration between local and international players, aiming to develop and raise awareness about this promising industry and elevate it for the future.

CEO of Media City Qatar, Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, stated that the forum aims to attract and engage the esports audience. He highlighted that Media City has conducted a strategic study to understand and empower this demographic, considering esports as one of the most important future industries.

Al Khori noted that investments in esports have exceeded USD10 billion in the Middle East, creating thousands of jobs in the gaming industry. He emphasized that this innovative sector is an integral part of the
modern media landscape.

Head of Sports Affairs at the Qatar Esports Federation, Ahmed Al Mughaiseb, stated that the first Qatar Esports Forum has helped forge relationships and establish international partnerships. He explained that the federation’s role is to nurture talent and develop tournaments locally, regionally, and internationally.

Al Mughaiseb added that the forum provided an opportunity to showcase the federation’s plans and highlight the tournaments that have taken place, as well as to discuss and explore future strategies. He noted that the federation aims to establish Qatar as a prominent hub for esports.

He also pointed out that the forum was a chance to enhance and grow the esports sector locally, aiming to develop it to achieve global recognition.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar SC secured a place in the final of the 52nd edition of HH the Amir Cup 2024 after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Al Gharafa following a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time on Sunday at Al Janoub Stadium.

Bruno Tabata and Ali Awad scored for Qatar SC in the 53rd and 83rd minutes respectively, while Ferjani Sassi and Yacine Brahimi netted for Al Gharafa in the 55th and 73rd minutes.

Qatar SC, reaching the final for the seventh time in its history, will face Al Sadd on May 24 at Education City Stadium in HH the Amir Cup final.

Qatar SC aim to clinch their third HH the Amir Cup title, with their last victory dating back to 1976.

Al Gharafa, who hoped to win their eighth title and first since 2012 when they defeated Al Sadd, will have to wait for another opportunity.

Source: Qatar News Agency