Doha: The Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF), yesterday announced the formation of Masters Committee, which will be chaired by Olympian Talal Mansour (pictured).
“The purpose of the formation of this committee inside QAF is to tempt former Qatari athletes return to our sport and utilise their knowledge and expertise,” QAF President Major General Dahlan Al Hamad said yesterday.
“ I was always a strong supporter of the idea to take advantage of the knowledge and the experience of former athletes possess and I believe that now it’s the right time to develop Master athletics in our state,” he added.
Talal, who will head the body is one of Qatar’s top sprinter.
He clinched the first ever World Indoor medal for Qatar (in the 60m) while the veteran also reached the semi-finals in the 1992 Olympics.
The Masters movement begin in 1968 with the objective to keep retired athletes active in athletics.
Eligible to compete in this category are women over 35 and men over 40.
Dahlan said the QAF will soon create a calendar of activities for Masters and will add it to federation’s list of annual events.
Talal praised the QAF’s step saying it will help in promoting the sport in the country.
The legendary athlete also hoped for a successful stint for Qatari athletes in Rio. The Peninsula
